I agree with you onetrack.
Not trying to talk myself up, having climbed a PA31 with 6POB, full mains and full bags, during a January afternoon at Lightening Ridge with one engine lost at 400 and still got it to climb to 1000 (slowly!) and turn around and land, I am convinced that age on a properly maintained aircraft should have minimal input into the end scenario.
A simple fact of life is that mechanical devices fail, sometimes even after best preventative maintanence has been applied. Ask QANTAS at the moment, I think they have some perspective on that. It is not in anyway limited to ANY type of aircraft or in most cases age. There are obviously execptions to every rule!!
and he needs to be lauded for his excellent airmanship.
I agree, and airmanship is one of the most important part of any operation that takes to sky, be it student/private/charter/rpt/whatever.
Disclaimer - I am not saying that I am awesome and everyone else that didn't is sh#t because of the above incident, I am only sharing my personal experience. Flame retardant suit on.