The Television presenter's problems were not airframe ones, they were avionic.
I believe that a vertical gyro had failed on a previous flight causing one SAS channel to be inop.
He continued operating the aircraft (with only one SAS)
When the other VG failed, he was left with no SAS at all.
Hardly a life or death situation.
Dont think you can blame Agusta for this one, maybe the VG gyro supplier ( a dodgy batch of gyros was to blame)
Sure whenever a new aircraft design comes on to the market place their is going to be teething troubles. (and the swashplate was a BIG one). But the 109 Power is a great bit of kit, and I'm sure anyone who flys whem will agree.