Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, - 30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes, and C-9 (military) airplanes, that requires a one-time visual inspection to determine if the doorstops and corners of the doorjamb of the forward passenger door have been modified, various follow-on repetitive inspections, and modification, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of fatigue cracks found in the fuselage skin and doubler at the corners and doorstops of the doorjamb of the forward passenger door. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the fuselage and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.