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14 CFR § 13.53 - Discovery.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s13.53"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 13.53 - Discovery."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "13.53"
section_name: "Discovery."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "PROCEDURAL RULES"
part_number: "13"
part_name: "INVESTIGATIVE AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "18 U.S.C. 6002; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 5121-5124, 40113-40114, 44103-44106, 44701-44704, 44709-44710, 44713, 44725, 44742, 44802 (note), 46101-46111, 46301, 46302 (for a violation of 49 U.S.C. 46504), 46304-46316, 46318-46320, 46501-46502, 46504, 46507, 47106, 47107, 47111, 47122, 47306, 47531-47532; 49 CFR 1.83."
regulatory_source: "Docket No. 18884, 44 FR 63723, Nov. 5, 1979, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "13"
---

# 13.53 Discovery.

(a) *Filing.* Discovery requests and responses are not filed with the FAA Hearing Docket unless in support of a motion, offered for impeachment, or other permissible circumstances as approved by the hearing officer.

(b) *Scope of discovery.* Any party may discover any matter that is not privileged and is relevant to any party's claim or defense.

(c) *Time for response to written discovery requests.* (1) Written discovery includes interrogatories, requests for admission or stipulations, and requests for production of documents.

(2) Unless otherwise directed by the hearing officer, a party must serve its response to a discovery request no later than 30 days after service of the discovery request.

(d) *Depositions.* After the respondent has filed a request for hearing and an answer, either party may take testimony by deposition.

(e) *Limits on discovery.* The hearing officer may limit the frequency and extent of discovery upon a showing by a party that—

(1) The discovery requested is cumulative or repetitious;

(2) The discovery requested can be obtained from another less burdensome and more convenient source;

(3) The party requesting the information has had ample opportunity to obtain the information through other discovery methods permitted under this section; or

(4) The method or scope of discovery requested by the party is unduly burdensome or expensive.