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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to detect corrosion of the lug bores and the surface of the hinge plates of the vertical-to-horizontal stabilizer; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of corrosion of the lug bores and the surface of the hinge plates of the vertical-to- horizontal stabilizer, apparently due to the improper brushing of cadmium on the hinge plates during manufacture. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion of the lug bores and the surface of the hinge plates of the vertical-to-horizontal stabilizer, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.