Article 109 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 109 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب الثامن: حوادث الطيران
On learning of an accident to a foreign aircraft in the Kingdom's territory, the Center must notify the State of registry, the State of the operator, the State of design and of manufacture, any State affected, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
مع مراعاة أحكام الملحق (13) لمعاهدة شيكاغو بشأن التحقيق في حوادث الطائرات ؛ يقوم المركز بعد علمه بوقوع حادث لطائرة أجنبية في إقليم المملكة بالإبلاغ عنه في أقرب فرصة لكل من:
1 - الدولة المسجلة فيها الطائرة أو سلطة تسجيل العلامة العامة .
2 - دولة المشغل إذا كانت غير دولة تسجيل الطائرة .
3 - الدولة المصممة.
4 - الدولة الصانعة.
5 - الدولة التي أصابها الضرر من الحادث.
6 - المنظمة الدولية للطيران المدني
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 109 explained in plain English
When a foreign aircraft has an accident inside the Kingdom, many States and bodies have an interest. This article states whom must be notified, subject to Annex (13) to the Chicago Convention on aircraft accident investigation.
Who must notify: the Center, after it learns of the accident. The word "Center" replaced "Bureau" in this article under Council of Ministers Decision No. (158) dated 20/2/1445 AH.
Timing: at the earliest opportunity.
Those to be notified:
- the State in which the aircraft is registered, or the authority that registers the nationality mark;
- the State of the operator, if different from the State of registry;
- the State of design;
- the State of manufacture;
- the State harmed by the accident;
- the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The rationale: Each of these has an interest in knowing of the accident: the State of registry and of the operator are responsible for the aircraft and its operation, the State of design and of manufacture may need to address a design or manufacturing defect, the affected State has a direct interest, and the international organization follows aviation safety worldwide.
This article follows Article 108, which regulates reporting accidents to the Authority and the Authority's notification of the Center, and precedes Article 110, which sets the local authorities' duties to preserve the aircraft and its wreckage. This article is addressed mainly to the Center; those with an interest in a particular accident may consult a lawyer specializing in aviation and international matters.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 109 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Who is notified when a foreign aircraft has an accident in Saudi Arabia?
The State of registry or the authority that registers the nationality mark, the State of the operator if different, the State of design and of manufacture, the affected State, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Who is responsible for this notification?
The Center, after it learns of the accident and at the earliest opportunity, subject to Annex (13) to the Chicago Convention.
Amendment history
Amendment — 20/2/1445 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- إحلال كلمة "المركز" محل كلمة "المكتب" الواردة في هذه المادة وذلك بموجب قرار مجلس الوزراء رقم (158) وتاريخ 1445/2/20هـ
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
مع مراعاة أحكام الملحق (13) لمعاهدة شيكاغو بشأن التحقيق في حوادث الطائرات ؛ يقوم المكتب بعد علمه بوقوع حادث لطائرة أجنبية في إقليم المملكة بالإبلاغ عنه في أقرب فرصة لكل من:
1 - الدولة المسجلة فيها الطائرة أو سلطة تسجيل العلامة العامة .
2 - دولة المشغل إذا كانت غير دولة تسجيل الطائرة .
3 - الدولة المصممة.
4 - الدولة الصانعة.
5 - الدولة التي أصابها الضرر من الحادث.
6 - المنظمة الدولية للطيران المدني
More articles on Aviation Accidents and Search and Rescue
- Article 107
The National Transport Safety Center investigates accidents and incidents of civil aircraft in the Kingdom and of Saudi aircraft, and sets the investigation regulations, forms its committees, prepares reports and publishes the results.
1- يتولى المركز التحقيق في الحوادث والوقائع التي تقع للطائرات المدنية في إقليم المملكة وللطائرات السعودية وللطائرات التي يشغلها أشخاص يحملون الجنسية السعودية فو
- Article 108
Local authorities, crew members and pilots who see an accident must report aviation accidents in the Kingdom to the Authority, and the owner or operator must notify of accidents to Saudi aircraft abroad.
1- عند وقوع حادث طيران في إقليم المملكة فإن على السلطات المحلية عند علمها بوقوع الحادث في منطقة اختصاصها وعلى عضو طاقم الطائرة التي وقع لها الحادث إذا سمحت حالت
- Article 110
On an aviation accident, local authorities must keep the aircraft from flying, preserve it and its wreckage, and not move it except for specified reasons until the investigation committee arrives.
على السلطات المحلية عند وقوع حادث طيران في منطقة اختصاصها أن تمنع الطائرة عن الطيران وأن تحافظ عليها وعلى أجزائها وجميع موجوداتها أو حطامها، وعدم تحريكها من موض
- Article 111
The board of directors decides whether to conduct an investigation into aviation accidents in the Kingdom or over the high seas involving a Saudi aircraft, or a foreign one operated by a Saudi, or not to proceed with it; the Regulations set the committees' powers.
يقرر مجلس الإدارة عند وقوع حادث طيران في إقليم المملكة أو فوق أعالي البحار أو فوق الأراضي غير المملوكة لإحدى الدول لطائرة سعودية أو لطائرة أجنبية يشغلها سعودي؛
- Article 112
The article allows the Center to ask States and bodies set by the Regulations for representatives to take part as observers in investigating accidents of Saudi aircraft, and gives the States concerned a right of representation for foreign aircraft accidents.
1- عند وقوع حادث لطائرة سعودية أو لطائرة أجنبية يشغلها سعودي في إقليم المملكة أو فوق أعالي البحار أو فوق أراض غير مملوكة لدولة ما؛ يجوز للمركز أن يطلب من الدول
- Article 113
The article requires security authorities and administrative bodies to facilitate the investigation committees' work and give them the official papers, carry out rescue and first aid while preserving the accident traces, and implement the committees' instructions.
على سلطات الأمن والجهات الإدارية كل فيما يخصه اتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة لتسهيل أعمال لجان التحقيق وخاصة تزويدها بجميع الأوراق الرسمية التي تعدها عن الحادث، وعليها
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.