Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposal would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new removal limits for certain components of the flap system and to reduce the interval of inspections for fatigue cracking of certain principal structural elements (PSEs). This action is necessary to detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain safe-life structure and certain PSEs, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.