To back up Chugs' thoughts on the RAF's past record of airworthiness issues:
Buccaneer Wings fell off in the very early 80s - the likely causes were well debated and the final remedy was to grind the damage out of the wing main spars reducing the usable carrying ability from 16,000lb to less than 8,000lb - the remedial methods used were to stop Buccs flying for almost 8 months to do the work - and all this during the Cold War and continuous preparations for NATO readiness commitments.
In those days of the 70's and 80's, it was only "almost" unthinkable to ground a fleet for airworthiness issues. And the Nimrods are even older than Buccs!
All the technology of todays modern aircraft is all based on what has been learned from accidents and incidents of the past. thats why a falsly reported BOI is an immoral and selfish waste of life, time and effort. All of aviation safety is based on past lessons. Moreover, there is NO new technology that is deemed infallible or fault free. Indeed, the most expensive and cosetted planes ever built (B117 and B2) still manage to crash.
We are always waiting for the next accident - and hoping it won't be "one of ours".
Chugs,
Even the unelected one-eyed scot at No 10 is accountable to someone.