N380, I think the argument goes that only the A300-600 has the rudder system in question, so if you are discussing length of service vs. incidents then you have to take that into account. I believe the first -600 EIS was the mid eighties?
However, I agree with you that if this is such an obvious flaw in the design of the aircraft (as is being proposed by certain member) then why hasn't it caused a serious accident before? Obviously there's a first time for everything, but I'm still interested. There are two operators in my neck of the woods that fly/have flown the -600, and I'd be interested to hear their and other operators views on this event - which I guess will happen in any court case.