Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series Airplanes and KC-10A (Military) Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes and KC-10A (military) airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the lower cap of the wing rear spar, and repair, if necessary. For certain airplanes, this AD also provides for an optional terminating modification for the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by reports of fatigue cracks found in the lower cap of the wing rear spar. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the lower cap of the wing rear spar, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.