Airworthiness Directives; Airplanes Originally Manufactured by Lockheed for the Military as Model P-3A and P3A Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain airplanes originally manufactured by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for the military as Model P-3A or P3A airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the existing maintenance or inspection program must be revised to address fatigue cracking of the airplane. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate certain limitations. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.