AD FAA-2013-0980

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EADS CASA (Type Certificate Previously Held by Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Model CN-235-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of reduced thickness of the center fuselage lower skin panel. This AD requires a detailed inspection to determine the presence of panel thickness reduction; and repetitive nondestructive testing (NDT) inspections and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct reduced thickness of lower panel joints, which could result in reduced fatigue and damage tolerant characteristics of the lower panel joint to the adjacent side panels and failure of the center fuselage lower skin panel, resulting in loss of control of the airplane.