Originally Posted by
millionmiler
As I wrote "at the risk of being simplistic"... The overriding comment remains. Planes are machines and machines break. As for "older" machines go, planes remain some of the most reliable.
You'll get no argument from me. I've flown on aircraft older than I am, and regardless, mechanical stuff breaks - newer av stuff breaks less often, but it does. Toss in some FOD or birds at takeoff, volcanic ash, etc. it breaks more often.