Structural failure - what, why, and how likely?

[Jonzarno]

Originally Posted by Ebbie 2003

An unprompted wing falling off is very unlikely to be the prime cause of one's death.

Loss of control in a perfectly serviceable airplane is more likely to be the cause and one can minimize that - although I suggest to nowhere near the risk of a wing falling off - minimizing it by training and practice is the way.

Yes: the most dangerous and most likely to fail component in any aircraft is the nut that holds the yoke / stick....... i.e. us!