doubleu-anker,
I'm not trying to argue with you, but perhaps an accident is cheaper. How much insurance money is collected on a yearly basis against how much is paid in premiums? Then of course premiums are raised to recover what has been paid out. It's a win/win for them and no need for the insurance industry to lobby for comprehensive safety improvements.
However, the fed's have known for years through several complete and partial losses the dangers of lithium batteries.
The real danger to aviation safety worldwide in my view is the incompetence of the regulating authorities who just can't seem to show any balls on a wide range of issues from fatigue to DG's.
We always crewed (MD-11) with loadmasters and while he may not have saved the day, I certainly felt better having eyes and a firefighter in the jumpseat. Said authorities, who were and still are sleeping with the manufacturers, sh@t in OUR messkit when they did away with the FE.