Any rotary winged aircraft is inherently more dangerous than a fixed wing one. If the big wheel stops turning, it's a brick...
I tend to disagree.
Sure if the engine stops it will fall from the sky, but those air tractors are not exactly gliders, especially with a full load!
My view on their safety is only related to the hills and forrest areas. (which is where most intensive bombing is done due to lack of ground access, fire behaviour on slopes etc).
An aircrane can maneuver with more precision and safety around hills, power lines etc as they can stop, up down forwards back etc. you name it, they can move there. Airtractors are limited to forwards motion at high speeds. not the best flying up a valley under powerlines etc.
Airtractors are much more effective and efficient on flat land, but for the hilly areas, forrests and really intense bombing activities, a skycrane is a much better, and "worth the money" option in my opinion
I believe that a combination of air-tractors and skycrane like we have is the best configuration. To send away a skycrane would be losing effectiveness and abilities, and to have one here on contract for the FDS is an advantage.