Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the lower lobe skin panel assemblies of the fuselage and an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that these assemblies are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires replacement of lower lobe skin panel assemblies, detailed inspections for scribe lines, and applicable on- condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.