Sec. 13.20 - Orders of compliance, cease and desist orders, orders of denial, and other orders.

(a) This section applies to orders of compliance, cease and desist orders, orders of denial, and other orders issued by the Administrator to carry out the provisions of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, and the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, or the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 as amended by the Airport and Airway Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1987. This section does not apply to orders issued pursuant to section 602 or section 609 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended.

(b) Unless the Administrator determines that an emergency exists and safety in air commerce requires the immediate issuance of an order under this section, the person subject to the order shall be provided with notice prior to issuance.

(c) Within 30 days after service of the notice, the person subject to the order may reply in writing or request a hearing in accordance with Subpart D of this part.

(d) If a reply is filed, as to any charges not dismissed or not subject to a consent order, the person subject to the order may, within 10 days after receipt of notice that the remaining charges are not dismissed, request a hearing in accordance with Subpart D of this part.

(e) Failure to request a hearing within the period provided in paragraphs (c) or (d) of this section --

(1) Constitutes a waiver of the right to appeal and the right to a hearing, and

(2) Authorizes the official who issued the notice to find the facts to be as alleged in the notice, or as modified as the official may determine necessary based on any written response, and to issue an appropriate order, without further notice or proceedings.

(f) If a hearing is requested in accordance with paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, the procedure of Subpart D of this part applies. At the close of the hearing, the Hearing Officer, on the record or subsequently in writing, shall set forth findings and conclusions and the reasons therefor, and either --

(1) Dismiss the notice; or

(2) Issue an order.

(g) Any party to the hearing may appeal from the order of the Hearing Officer by filing a notice of appeal with the Administrator within 20 days after the date of issuance of the order.

(h) If a notice of appeal is not filed from the order issued by a Hearing Officer, such order is the final agency order.

(i) Any person filing an appeal authorized by paragraph (g) of this section shall file an appeal brief with the Administrator within 40 days after the date of issuance of the order, and serve a copy on the other party. A reply brief must be filed within 20 days after service of the appeal brief and a copy served on the appellant.

(j) On appeal the Administrator reviews the available record of the proceeding, and issues an order dismissing, reversing, modifying or affirming the order. The Administrator's order includes the reasons for the Administrator's action.

(k) For good cause shown, requests for extensions of time to file any document under this section may be granted by --

(1) The official who issued the order, if the request is filed prior to the designation of a Hearing Officer; or

(2) The Hearing Officer, if the request is filed prior to the filing of a notice of appeal; or

(3) The Administrator, if the request is filed after the filing of a notice of appeal.

(l) Except in the case of an appeal from the decision of a Hearing Officer, the authority of the Administrator under this section is also exercised by the Chief Counsel, Deputy Chief Counsel, each Assistant Chief Counsel, each Regional Counsel, and the Aeronautical Center Counsel (as to matters under Title V of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958).

(m) Filing and service of documents under this section shall be accomplished in accordance with §13.43; and the periods of time specified in this section shall be computed in accordance with §13.44.

[Doc. No. 18884, 44 FR 63723, Nov. 5, 1979, as amended by Amdt. 13-17, 53 FR 33783, Aug. 31, 1988; Amdt. 13-19, 54 FR 39290, Sept. 25, 1989; Amdt. 13-29, 62 FR 46865, Sept. 4, 1997]