| Very true what you say Richard,I think that one of the problems that arise with composites is the formers or strengtheners that are added during the build,for example metal encased within fibreglass or composite material does not fair well,chemical reactions attack the formers and slowly degrade them,it is the same with concrete and metal in building roads,the concrete attacks the metal and corrodes it,ok for a few years but then when the concrete blocks start to fall off as they did around this area,then it is cheaper to replace rather than make good.
The problem with the aircrafts rudder assembly is that it is relatively weak in comparison with the other parts of the aircrafts structure,it takes a lot of buffeting as well in the aircrafts slipstream.
This composite failure thing is not new either,there have been cases of complete flap assemblies breaking away in flight on large transport aircraft,like a lot of things it is relative to a lot of factors,ie humidity,vibration,use beyond that originally intended by the manufacturer.
Like a lot of modern materials nobody really knows the lifespan of these materials,that is why they are not very popular with the certification authorities,who knows they could degrade quicker than at first imagined ? only the test of time will tell with a few failures along the way.
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