Morno - I don't see any logic in your argument about age. There are sizeable numbers of older aircraft still operating satisfactorily, and there is no reason they should not be. As all critical aircraft components are required to be inspected and overhauled regularly, why should age come into it?
Maintenance quality and pilot experience are the factors that regularly appear high on the list in aircrash summaries. As GG has outlined neatly, a well-trained, competent pilot in charge of an old aircraft is a far superior option, as compared to a trainee in a brand-new aircraft.
The PIC of this particular aircraft has demonstrated highly competent skills in being able to get his fully-loaded, crippled aircraft, back onto the deck in one piece, with no injuries or fatalities, and he needs to be lauded for his excellent airmanship.
All too often, engine failure shortly after takeoff results in a stall and the inevitable fatalities, when a PIC makes poor choices. In many cases, those poor choices can be sheeted home to lack of pilot skills and inadequate training.