[jussij]

> The entire point of these tests is specifically to break things

When you do these types of tests you are testing for a expected outcome.

If you do a test and the outcome is un-expected (i.e. the fuselage fails prematurely) it means your engineering and the expectations built around that engineering are wrong.

[txcwpalpha]

This is incorrect. These tests are specifically done because they want to gather data on what the failure loads (which are previously unknown) are.

[inferiorhuman]

No, as the Seattle Times pointed out the intent of the test is to ensure the wings support 150% of their rated load. They may continue until things break, but the typical purpose is simply to ensure there's that 50% wiggle room.