(a) Under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, (49 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 (49 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 (49 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.), the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 (as amended, 49 U.S.C. App. 2201 et seq., Airport and Airway Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1987), and the Regulations of the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (49 CFR 1 et seq.), the Administrator may conduct investigations, hold hearings, issue subpoenas, require the production of relevant documents, records, and property, and take evidence and depositions.

(b) For the purpose of investigating alleged violations of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 as amended by the Airport and Airway Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1987, or any rule, regulation, or order issued thereunder, the Administrator's authority has been delegated to the various services and or offices for matters within their respective areas for all routine investigations. When the compulsory processes of sections 313 and 1004 (49 U.S.C. 1354 and 1484) of the Federal Aviation Act, or section 109 of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1808) are invoked, the Administrator's authority has been delegated to the Chief Counsel, the Deputy Chief Counsel, each Assistant Chief Counsel, each Regional Counsel, the Aeronautical Center Counsel, and the Technical Center Counsel.

(c) In conducting formal investigations, the Chief Counsel, the Deputy Chief Counsel, each Assistant Chief Counsel, each Regional Counsel, the Aeronautical Center Counsel, and the Technical Center Counsel may issue an order of investigation in accordance with Subpart F of this part.

(d) A complaint against the sponsor, proprietor, or operator of a Federally-assisted airport involving violations of the legal authorities listed in §16.1 of this chapter shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of part 16 of this chapter, except in the case of complaints, investigations, and proceedings initiated before December 16, 1996, the effective date of part 16 of this chapter.