49 CFR §845.5

1. (a)Composition of board of inquiry. The board of inquiry shall consist of a chairman of the board of inquiry, as specified in paragraph (c) of this section, and other members in accordance with Board policy.
2. (b)Duties of board of inquiry. The board of inquiry shall examine witnesses and secure, in the form of a public record, facts pertaining to the accident or incident under investigation and surrounding circumstances and conditions from which the Board may determine probable cause and may formulate recommendations and/or other documents for corrective or preventative action.
3. (c)Chairman of board of inquiry. The chairman of the board of inquiry, or his or her designee, shall have the following powers:
   1. (1)To designate parties to the investigative hearing and revoke such designations;
   2. (2)To open, continue, or adjourn the investigative hearing;
   3. (3)To determine the admissibility of and to receive evidence and to regulate the course of the investigative hearing;
   4. (4)To dispose of procedural requests or similar matters; and
   5. (5)To take any other appropriate action to ensure the orderly conduct of the investigative hearing.