Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F Series Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for damage (degraded finish; missing, lifted, peeling, or blistering paint; or signs of corrosion) of the interior skin in the forward and aft cargo compartments, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of skin corrosion on four Boeing Model 747 series airplanes that were delivered between 1995 and 1999. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion, which can penetrate the thickness of the skin and cause cracking, and result in rapid decompression of the airplane.