Source: ATW Daily News Author: 07/10/2008
Subject Concerned: Government Aircraft Airlines
US FAA issued new airworthiness directives this week requiring "repetitive inspections for cracking" of overwing frames on MD-80s and of the upper frame to side frame splice on the fuselage of 737 Classics.
American Airlines is the largest operator of the MD-80 and Southwest Airlines is the largest operator of the 737 Classic series, but one or both of the types are present in the fleets of most other US major airlines.
It does not appear that the ADs, to take effect next month, will require widespread groundings like those that occurred earlier this year.