DV said
Airworthiness is defined as the ability of an aircraft, or other airborne equipment or system, to operate without significant hazard to aircrew, ground crew, passengers (where relevant) or to the general public over which such airborne systems are flown. Airworthiness is not only concerned with engineering aspects, but also with the way an aircraft is flown and how its systems are operated.
FOI reply
2496 Incident reports on RAF Nimrod aircraft from 1987 to 2007, aircraft incidents are categorised as an occurrence involving an aircraft which results in the aircraft sustaining damage or a person receiving an injury or which discloses a flight safety hazard or potential hazard..
The Times Nov 4th
The MoD said the safety of all personnel "has been and will remain of paramount importance"
Perhaps they have forgotten the 2496 incidents.