Examining the Docket \n\n\tYou may examine the AD docket in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. This docket number is FAA-2005-20355; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-198-AD. \n\nDiscussion \n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Boeing Model 727 airplanes equipped with an auxiliary fuel tank having a fuel pump installed. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2005 (70 FR 7695). That NPRM proposed to require revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include limitations on operating the fuel pumps for the auxiliary fuel tank. \n\nComments \n\n\tWe provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been submitted on the proposed AD. \n\nSupport for the Proposed AD \n\n\tOne commenter supports the proposed AD. \n\nRequest To Withdraw Proposed AD \n\n\tOne commenter notes that Revision 47 to the Boeing 727 AFM, dated May 17, 2004, includes procedural changes that are similar to the information that the proposed AD would require be inserted into the Limitations section of the AFM. The commenter feels that the requirements of the proposed AD are adequately addressed by incorporating Revision 47 to the AFM and that it would be more appropriate for the new information to be placed in the Normal Procedures section of the AFM rather than the Limitations section. \n\n\tWe do not agree. The wording in paragraph (f) of this AD is not identical to that in Revision 47 to the Boeing 727 AFM. Revision 47 contains a note that would allow the auxiliary tank pump(s) to remain "on" in certain situations. Wefind that the auxiliary tank pumps must be switched off immediately when the respective auxiliary tank fuel pump low pressure light illuminates. Thus, to ensure that the unsafe condition is adequately addressed, we find it necessary to require that the information specified in paragraph (f) of this AD be included in the Limitations section of the AFM, as proposed. Further, the limitation section of the AFM is the only section that is mandatory for operators. The unsafe condition which this AD is intended to correct is of such significance to necessitate mandating the procedure. We have not changed the final rule in this regard. \n\nRequest to Clarify Wording of AFM Revision \n\n\tThe same commenter requests that we revise paragraph (f) to be consistent with similar wording in Revision 47 to the Boeing 727 AFM. The commenter notes that paragraph (f) of the proposed AD states "Auxiliary tank fuel pump switches must not be positioned 'ON* * *,' " and "Auxiliary tank(s) fuel pumps must notbe 'ON* * *.' " The commenter points out that the wording for the same instructions in Revision 47 of the AFM states that the "pumps must be off." \n\n\tWe agree. We find that the wording referenced by the commenter is clearer, though the meaning is the same. We have revised paragraph (f) of this AD accordingly. \n\nRequest To Clarify Intent of Proposed AD \n\n\tThe same commenter states that is unclear if the intent of the proposed AD is to delete Note (1) in Revision 47 of the AFM, which states: \n\n\t"If an auxiliary tank fuel pump LOW PRESSURE light illuminates during takeoff or climb, the auxiliary tank pump(s) may remain on until the climb attitude is reduced and the light(s) extinguishes or workload allows for pump(s) to be positioned 'OFF.' " \n\nThe commenter notes that this statement qualifies the preceding statement in Revision 47 of the AFM: "Each auxiliary tank fuel pump switch must be positioned 'OFF' without delay when the respective auxiliary tank fuel pump low pressure light illuminates." The commenter opines that this note should be retained as it does have value in certain situations. The commenter recommends that, if the FAA intends to delete the note, the proposed wording should be revised to clearly state this intent. \n\n\tWe agree with the commenter's request to clarify our intent. Our intent was that this qualifying note should not be included in the AFM revision required by paragraph (f) of this AD. As stated previously, we do not agree with the note in Revision 47 to which the commenter refers because we have determined that, to prevent dry operation of the fuel pumps for the auxiliary fuel tank, the affected auxiliary tank pumps must be switched off without delay when the auxiliary tank fuel pump low pressure light illuminates. We have revised paragraph (f) of this AD to clarify that we intend no exceptions to the requirement to switch off each auxiliary tank fuel pump as soon as the applicable low pressure light illuminates. \n\nExplanationof Additional Editorial Change \n\n\tWe have revised the second paragraph of the AFM revision specified in paragraph (f) of this AD to read, "When established in a level attitude at cruise, if the auxiliary tank(s) contain usable fuel and the auxiliary tank(s) pump switches are 'OFF,' the auxiliary tank(s) pump switches should be positioned 'ON' again." The word "pump" was inadvertently omitted in this statement in the proposed AD. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tWe have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\tThere are about 300 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This AD will affect about 200 airplanes of U.S. registry. The AFM revision will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $13,000, or $65 per airplane. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\tTitle 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority. \n\n\tWe are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, "General requirements." Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\tWe have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. \n\n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\n\t(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866; \n\n\t(2) Is not a "significant rule" under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and \n\n\t(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. \n\n\tWe prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\nAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):