Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the fuselage skin is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires modification of the lap joint and repetitive inspections for cracking of the skin at critical fastener rows. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.