Fortunately, I do not yet have first-hand experience in seeing a blade break. However, we conduct a lot of wind tunnel tests here at Ames and once in a great while, something will break. We accept this risk as part of research and of course, we always learn a great deal from the failures. I guess all the research we do ultimately has an impact on safety. Rotorcraft are much more complex than airplanes and so we are always thinking of how to conduct our research in a safe manner.
Tilt rotors can fly helicopter-like conditions, that is, they can hover and fly at low speeds.
Also, tilt rotors can carry many more passengers. I appreciated comments in your autobiography about your wish you had had a mentor in high school. Many students are overwhelmed and confused by the number of career choices open to them. This is a good question. A mentor doesn't have all the answers, but a mentor should be able to give you ideas to follow up on.