Comment to non-aviators on the thread
The clue is in the meaning of the word "Mayday": "venez m'aider"; "come to help me".
I suspect the public think a helicopter is safer than an aeroplane because "it can land anywhere" but an aeroplane glides naturally, and thus there is normally more time available.
When learning and practising there has to be some framework and guidelines but always it's "first fly the aircraft". If you're going to crash a call just helps other find you.
On that theme, fitting data recorders won't make a flight any safer.
Finally, I don't know the statistics but it's uncommon for people on the ground to be hit when a small aircraft comes down, even in a city.