Article 113 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 113 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب الثامن: حوادث الطيران
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 القيام بأعمال الإنقاذ والإسعاف ونقل المصابين وإخماد الحرائق وانتشال الجثث مع المحافظة على آثار الحادث، كما يكون عليها تنفيذ ما يصدر عن لجان التحقيق من تعليمات تيسر لها أداء وظيفتها.
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 113 explained in plain English
The committee investigating an aviation accident cannot work alone; it needs the cooperation of the bodies at the accident site. This article places duties on the security authorities and administrative bodies, each within its own remit.
The duties:
- facilitate the work of the investigation committees by taking the necessary measures, in particular giving them all the official papers they prepare on the accident;
- carry out rescue and first aid, transport the injured, put out fires and recover bodies;
- preserve the traces of the accident while doing so;
- carry out the instructions issued by the investigation committees that make it easier for them to perform their function.
Balance between rescue and investigation: The article combines the duty to save lives and the injured with the duty to preserve the traces of the accident. Rescue is not delayed, but it should be done in a way that preserves the evidence as far as possible.
The phrase "each within its own remit" means each body does what falls within its jurisdiction, so the article does not set out a detailed allocation of tasks.
This article follows Article 112, which regulates the participation of States' and bodies' representatives in the investigation, and precedes Article 114, which requires the investigation committee to submit preliminary and final reports to the Center. Families of those harmed may consult a lawyer specializing in aviation and compensation matters to learn how to obtain the papers and reports relating to the accident.
Practical example
A small aircraft has an accident near a regional airport. The competent authorities rescue the injured and put out the fire while preserving the traces of the accident, then provide the investigation committee with their official records, and carry out the committee's instructions to secure the site.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 113 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
What is the role of the security authorities in aircraft accidents?
To facilitate the investigation committees' work and give them the official papers, and to carry out rescue and first aid, transport the injured, put out fires and recover bodies while preserving the accident's traces.
Do the authorities have to follow the investigation committee's instructions?
Yes. They must carry out the instructions issued by the investigation committees that make it easier for them to perform their function.
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 109
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.
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
- 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
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.