The accident happened soon after maintanance, but a loooooong time after
the plane was manufactured, and even longer after the plane was designed.

Then maybe the maintenance was the problem. But that would be true
for aircraft of any age.

Yes. This is why maintanance would not get the same "pass" on liability
that is (now) granted the manufacturer. And an argument can be made
that a new design or manufacturing flaw might be undetected for a while,
but after 18 years, if it hasn't shown up yet, it's not much of a flaw.

Jose
--
He who laughs, lasts.
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