Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model 1329 Series Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lockheed Model 1329 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections to detect crack damage in the front spar cap assembly of the lower vertical stabilizer; reworking the spar cap doublers if no crack damage is found during any inspection; and repairing if any crack damage is found during any inspection. This AD is prompted by reports of cracks in the front spar cap assembly of the lower vertical stabilizer at box beam station 24 on the aft side of the 25% chord line. We are issuing this AD to find and fix cracks in the front spar cap assembly of the lower vertical stabilizer, which could result in rapid crack propagation and failure of the front spar cap. Failure of the front spar cap could lead to loss of rudder control and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.