Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200C Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-200C series airplanes. This action requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking in the lower skin at the stringer 4R lap joint, and certain fuselage frames; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by a report of a fractured frame located at body station (BS) 480. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct cracking in certain frames, which, in conjunction with multiple site cracking in the lower skin of the lap joint, could result in failure of certain lap joints, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane fuselage.