Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F Series Airplanes

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727- 200, and 727-200F series airplanes, that currently requires repetitive inspections to find cracking of the lower skin panel at the lower row of fasteners in certain lap joints of the fuselage, and repair, if necessary. This amendment limits the applicability of the existing AD, adds certain repetitive inspections, revises certain compliance times, and adds certain modifications. This amendment is prompted by the FAA's determination that, in light of additional crack findings, certain modifications of the fuselage lap joints are necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to find and fix fatigue cracking of the fuselage lap joints, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of the lower skin lap joints, and rapid decompression of the airplane.