SteveT: "But if we do want to generalise - according to Newswatcher, one type of helicopter has been involved in over a quarter of all fatal accidents in the US so far this year. Generally, I'd say thats a pretty poor record."
So - you're not generalising with your take on Newswatcher's stats ?
"Robinsons" are not one type of heli :-)
And if you follow his lead and look at the NTSB figures, you'll see that most of the accidents were non-mech failure, low-time pilots mainly flying R22 - but also R44.
The most popular helicopters in the world being flown by the most inexperienced pilots..........
This could run as long as The Mousetrap.
Now - where are the current UK stats?