Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-200 Series Airplanes Equipped With a No. 3 Cargo Door

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 727-200 series airplanes. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections for cracks in the forward frame of the No. 3 cargo door cutout; and corrective actions, if necessary. The existing AD also provides for an optional structural modification, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This new AD reduces the compliance time for the initial inspections and adds an optional method of inspection for both the initial and repetitive inspections. This AD also adds initial and repetitive inspections of an additional area, and repair if necessary. Additionally, this AD clarifies that the previously optional structural modification is now required by other rulemaking. This AD results from additional reports of cracking in the forward frame of the No. 3 cargo door cutout. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the forward frame and fuselage skin of the No. 3 cargo door cutout, which could result in failure of the frame and skin, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.