Interesting thread. Algie you are on the money.
This is a true story - I have an old grandpa in the family. He is a spritely 92 years old. He has been driving since he was 14, a total of 78 years. And guess what, Pops has never had an accident. Question is does this make him a safe driver? Hell no, he is a menace on the road and a disaster waiting to happen, yet he hasn't actually been involved in an accident.
The subject matter of 'what makes an airline safe' if judged solely on whether they have had a major accident yet is purely subjective, inaccurate and plain wrong.