How certificate appeals work
When the FAA issues an order suspending or revoking an airman certificate, or in some cases assessing a civil penalty against an individual, the holder can appeal to the NTSB. The case is usually heard first by an administrative law judge, who takes testimony and evidence, and that decision can be appealed to the full Board. Further review in federal court may follow, and for many certificate actions the holder can choose between a district court and a court of appeals. Emergency orders, which take effect immediately, move on a much faster schedule than ordinary appeals. This adjudication role is separate from the NTSB's accident investigation work, and its investigative findings are handled under different rules.
Deadlines and early filings
The time to file an NTSB appeal after an FAA order is short, and the window in emergency cases is shorter still. Filing a report with NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System can matter in some enforcement matters, and it has its own short window from the event, so that question should be addressed promptly if the event is recent. Gather the FAA's letter of investigation, the notice of proposed certificate action and the order, your logbooks, training and medical records, and any statements you have already given. Before answering an FAA inspector's questions, keep in mind that what you say can be used in the enforcement case.
Preparing the record
Federal law gives certificate holders a right to obtain certain air traffic data and FAA records relevant to the case, and requesting those early can shape the defense. When you first call us, we review the order, the regulations cited, your history, and whether the sanction is consistent with how similar matters are treated. We also discuss whether a negotiated resolution with the FAA, such as a reduced sanction, is realistic, and how any outcome may affect your employment, insurance, and future applications. Certificate actions sometimes overlap with medical certification questions or an employer's own investigation, and those may need to be handled in step with the appeal.
