Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 727 series airplanes, that currently requires repetitive inspections of the front spar web between the upper and lower seals of the center section of the wings, and repair, if necessary. That amendment also provides for an optional terminating modification for the repetitive inspections. This amendment requires a new terminating modification for the repetitive inspections. For certain airplanes, this amendment also requires new repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the front spar web. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that the optional terminating modification in the existing AD does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracks in the front spar web, which could lead to fuel leakage into the air-conditioning distribution bay and/or depressurization of the cabin, and to prevent fuel fumes in the cabin of the airplane.