That the design fault and its potential consequence (now, tragically, real) was widely known of and tolerated all these many years is both unbelievable and outrageous;
Tolerated? What were student aircrew to do other than understand the potential trap and make a mental note not to fall into it? More of a 'don't do it this way', known about and taught. I can't explain why it seems to be news to the SI though.
edit: looking back I realise that you may be talking about the scissor shackle and not the pin