Sec. 16.23 - Complaints, answers, replies, rebuttals, and other documents.

(a) A person directly and substantially affected by any alleged noncompliance may file a complaint with the Administrator. A person doing business with an airport and paying fees or rentals to the airport shall be considered directly and substantially affected by alleged revenue diversion as defined in 49 U.S.C. 47107(b).

(b) Complaints filed under this part shall --

(1) State the name and address of each person who is the subject of the complaint and, with respect to each person, the specific provisions of each Act that the complainant believes were violated;

(2) Be served, in accordance with §16.15, along with all documents then available in the exercise of reasonable diligence, offered in support of the complaint, upon all persons named in the complaint as persons responsible for the alleged action(s) or omission(s) upon which the complaint is based;

(3) Provide a concise but complete statement of the facts relied upon to substantiate each allegation; and

(4) Describe how the complainant was directly and substantially affected by the things done or omitted to be done by the respondents.

(c) Unless the complaint is dismissed pursuant to §16.25 or §16.27, the FAA notifies the complainant and respondents in writing within 20 days after the date the FAA receives the complaint that the complaint has been docketed and that respondents are required to file an answer within 20 days of the date of service of the notification.

(d) The respondent shall file an answer within 20 days of the date of service of the FAA notification.

(e) The complainant may file a reply within 10 days of the date of service of the answer.

(f) The respondent may file a rebuttal within 10 days of the date of service of the complainant's reply.

(g) The answer, reply, and rebuttal shall, like the complaint, be accompanied by supporting documentation upon which the parties rely.

(h) The answer shall deny or admit the allegations made in the complaint or state that the person filing the document is without sufficient knowledge or information to admit or deny an allegation, and shall assert any affirmative defense.

(i) The answer, reply, and rebuttal shall each contain a concise but complete statement of the facts relied upon to substantiate the answers, admissions, denials, or averments made.

(j) The respondent's answer may include a motion to dismiss the complaint, or any portion thereof, with a supporting memorandum of points and authorities. If a motion to dismiss is filed, the complainant may respond as part of its reply notwithstanding the 10-day time limit for answers to motions in §16.19(c).