AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section. Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes AD/B727/215 Elevator Quadrant Upper Support 1/2009 Assembly Attachment Fittings Applicability: All Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series aircraft. Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2008-22-12 Amdt 39-15708. Note: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-55-0092 original issue, dated 4 June 2007, or later FAA approved revision, refers. Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 January 2009. Background: The FAA received reports of elongated holes and cracks in the lugs of the attachment fittings of the elevator quadrant upper support assembly at the tip of the vertical fin. Undetected damage to the aft attachment lugs of the elevator quadrant support assembly could lead to failure of the lugs, which could accelerate wear elsewhere in the elevator control system and reduce the crew's ability to maintain safe flight. David Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 November 2008