Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Older 727S Require Inspections

From Staff

Operators of 1,000 older Boeing 727s must inspect skin joints on the aircraft for fatigue cracking and make any necessary repairs, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered Thursday.

The airworthiness directive was prompted by reports of fatigue cracks in four Boeing 727s operating in the U.S. commercial airline fleet.

It also is an outgrowth of the aging aircraft program begun with the aviation industry in 1988. The program is designed to ensure that aircraft remain as structurally sound throughout their service life as they were when they were originally certified.