Midair structural failures were not uncommon, (we had no G meters) but were mostly away from the public eye.
I only witnessed one, Coningsby 19/9/53, a Mk8 of 74 Sqn suffered a double mainplane failure at about 2-300 ft as he was starting a slow roll.
There were pieces scattered far and wide.
It was disconcerting to see the wreckage being cleared as I taxied out shortly after.