[bluGill]

Airplanes worry about fatigue. They have to be replaced after so many years or the wings will fall off in the air. If the airplane is only a few weeks away from replacement when it fails an inspection you scrap it now, if it has years to go you replace parts.

[gonzo]

It’s not years, it’s “cycles” take-off/landing with pressurized passenger compartment in-between.

And it’s not often the wings fall off, but the tail does, or sometimes a huge hole opens in the “skin” of the airframe.

Example: Aloha Airlines Flight 243

[doodlebugging]

I don't disagree with this at all. That is how it should work and that is apparently how it is working.