Squawkie
Long time no see.
The problem with trying to analyse which is statistically better is that the spread of standards means that many highly proficient and safe private operators will be statistically brought down by the cowboys.
you can also say that about the commercial AOC holders too, but the trouble is knowing if the ratio of cowboys has been compared correctly.
Flying like motorcycle riding has some dangers however when you are careful about mitigating risks and removing cowboy antics from the equation, it gets very low risk all of a sudden.
The one fatality was a classic case of stupidity in my mind, and that was pretty evident from the day after it happened.
Ozbusdriver has quite rightly pointed out that a CPL and anAOC are no weapon against the same thing.