Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series Airplanes, Model MD-88 Airplanes, and Model MD-90-30 Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD); applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series airplanes, Model MD-88 airplanes, and Model MD-90-30 airplanes; that requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the main landing gear (MLG) shock strut pistons, and replacement of a cracked piston with a new or serviceable part. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that, while an airplane was positioned on the taxiway, the right MLG shock strut piston failed due to fatigue cracking. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in failure of the piston, and consequent damage to the airplane structure or injury to the passengers and flightcrew.