Article 120 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 120 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب التاسع: البحث والإنقاذ
The article defines search and rescue as any assistance given, even by mere announcement, to an aircraft facing destruction, danger or difficulties, or whose safety is in doubt or feared for, and to those on board.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يقصد بالبحث والإنقاذ : كل معونة تقدم ولو بمجرد الإعلان لطائرة تتعرض للهلاك أو يهددها خطر أو صعوبات أو يقوم شك أو خوف على سلامتها، ويشمل ذلك المعونة التي تقدم لمن على متنها.
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 120 explained in plain English
This article, in the ninth part on search and rescue, sets the meaning of "search and rescue" on which the provisions of this part are built.
The definition: Search and rescue is any assistance given to an aircraft, even by mere announcement, in any of these cases:
- the aircraft faces destruction;
- it is threatened by danger;
- it faces difficulties;
- there is doubt or fear for its safety.
This includes assistance given to those on board, so rescue is not limited to the aircraft but extends to passengers and crew.
Notes on the breadth of the definition:
- The words "even by mere announcement" mean that reporting the aircraft or announcing its condition is itself a search and rescue act, even if no physical intervention follows.
- The words "there is doubt or fear for its safety" mean that it is not required to be certain an accident has occurred; justified concern for the aircraft, such as loss of contact with it, is enough.
Importance of the definition: This definition determines the scope of the obligations and rights relating to search and rescue in this part, including what Article 121 provides, that the Authority is responsible for search and rescue operations for air accidents in the Kingdom's territory and that the relevant authorities and bodies must coordinate with it. Anyone who took part in a rescue operation and wants to know their rights or obligations may consult a lawyer specializing in civil aviation law.
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 120 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
What is meant by search and rescue in the Civil Aviation Law?
Any assistance given, even by mere announcement, to an aircraft facing destruction, threatened by danger or difficulties, or whose safety is in doubt or feared for, including assistance to those on board.
Is reporting a missing aircraft part of rescue work?
Yes. The definition includes assistance given even by mere announcement.
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.