This comment:
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Airworthness is not an issue Aircrew should be bothered about.
from a professional (current?) military aviator leaves me absolutely speechless! Airworthiness is not just about serviceable aircraft and the "Captain of the Ship" saying it is OK to fly. Everyone in the chain, from manufacturer to aircrew, are part of the airworthiness piece and anyone of them can break the chain to prevent an accident occuring.
In the context of the current inquest it would allegedly appear from the info available that no-one told the pilot to stop flying the aircraft in such a cavalier manner - perhap he too, like you, didn't think he was part of the airworthiness chain.
If you are a Naval Aviator you should be ashamed of yourself.
Surely, as the crew flying the aircraft it is the CREWS responsibility for the serviceability of the aircraft? The engineers might fix it but if something is hanging off or damaged, I certainly would not go flying in it. That's why we sign for the aircraft and conduct pre flight walk arounds.