Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, - 83, and -87 Series Airplanes (MD-81, -82, -83, and -87), and Model MD- 88 Airplanes

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes (MD-81, -82, -83, and -87), and Model MD-88 airplanes, that currently requires visual or eddy current inspections to detect cracks of the actuator cylinder support brackets of the slat drive mechanism assembly, and replacement of any cracked brackets. This amendment continues to require repetitive eddy current inspection, adds an inspection requirement, and expands the area of inspection. This amendment also provides terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that additional cracking was found outside the original inspection area. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent inadvertent slat retraction in flight.