We proof new guns more out of tradition than most any other reason. Material control, dimensional control, etc. is more than enough to assure safety. I sure as heck hope nobody overstresses an airplane to "proof" it. But a very low number of high stress cycles on a low strength steel like barrels and frames have is not going to cause fatigue.
The frog fright was more like +35* alpha. The article suggested it was the crew choice to go nose up and power off.
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/learmount/2011/05/air_france_447_the_facts_and_w.html
