peter_we on old aircraft
I'm not sure where you're getting your information, but the sweeping statement that older aircraft crash more often is not sustainable IMHO.
Older, well-maintained aircraft are no less safe than new models, given comparable avionics and other systems.
It may be the case that globally older aircraft crash more, but I would throw the argument into the ring that when one looks at age in conjunction with operator and country of operation, one will find that a significant number of old machines fly in countries where aviation oversight and maintenance standards are lower than in the rest of the world..
As to the events in question, I wonder why the machine veered off the runway with what seems like useable runway ahead.. surely one-engine take-off training would drill it into the pilots to keep it on the straight and narrow first of all..