NEW YORK--Air Canada officials said yesterday a crack in a pressure bulkhead apparently caused a DC-9 jet to lose part of its tail section during a flight over the Atlantic Monday.

The airline ordered 42 other DC-9s inspected and withdrew one plane from service that was found to have a similar flaw.

A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said yesterday it might order all DC-9s inspected if the cracks proved to be a widespread problem.

The plane that lost part of its tail section originated in Boston and was bound for Nova Scotia. Despite the loss of pressure, the plane safely returned to Boston.