Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-700 and -800 Series Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-700 and -800 series airplanes. This AD requires doing an initial inspection for pitting and cracks of the lower skin panel at the lap joint; trimming the inner skin; installing exterior doublers; replacing the fuselage skin assembly; doing repetitive supplemental inspections; and repairing if necessary; as applicable. This AD is prompted by a report indicating that localized pitting in the lower skin panels was found during production on a limited number of airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct premature fatigue cracking at certain lap splice locations and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.