Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 Series Airplanes

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) T96-07-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 series airplanes by individual telegrams. This AD requires repetitive inspections to detect corrosion and cracking of the fuselage upper skin and frames in the area of the loop antenna assemblies of the automatic direction finder (ADF), and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of severe corrosion and cracking found in that area. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent rapid decompression of the fuselage, significant structural damage, and subsequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane, due to problems associated with corrosion and fatigue cracking in the subject area.