Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727, 727-100, 727-200, 727C, 727-100C, and 727-200F Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 727, 727-100, 727-200, 727C, 727- 100C, and 727-200F series airplanes. This action requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the lower skin panel at the lower row of fasteners in certain lap joints of the fuselage, and repair, if necessary. This amendment also provides for optional terminating action for certain repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by a report of fatigue cracking in the lower skin panel at the lower row of fasteners of the fuselage lap joints. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of the lower skin lap joints, and rapid decompression of the airplane.