I wonder if you have autorotated either model. I have an intimate
acquaintance with the autorotational characteristics of both series. The
206 series is much more forgiving, and requires far less skill to execute a
successful autorotation. In other words, you are less likely to crash in a
forced landing ina 206 than in a Hughes/McD/Boeing 500. On the other hand,
there a few types of crashes -- by no means all -- in which the structure of
the 500 series comes in handy. Trust me, you don't want to be in either
series aircraft in that kind of crash.

It seems as if you are making a logic jump. Yes, I too am "intimately" familiar
with the autorotational characteristics of both aircraft. If you are flying
either model you should have the same competency level in either ship.
Therefore while the 500 may be more of a challenge to learn, one must be reach
the same competency level, thus you will hit the ground the same and the 500 is
more crash worthy. Plus the whole mast bumping thing, LTE, limited sloped land
capabilities and the other limitation of the 206 ....