Article 121 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 121 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب التاسع: البحث والإنقاذ
The article makes the Authority the body responsible for search and rescue operations for air accidents in the Kingdom's territory, requires the relevant bodies to coordinate with it, and refers the rules to the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الهيئة هي الجهة المسؤولة عن القيام بعمليات البحث والإنقاذ للحوادث الجوية في المناطق المختلفة بإقليم المملكة ، وعلى جميع السلطات والجهات ذات العلاقة التنسيق معها في ذلك، وتحدد اللائحة قواعد البحث والإنقاذ .
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 121 explained in plain English
This article identifies the body responsible for search and rescue in air accidents.
1- The responsible body: The General Authority of Civil Aviation is the body responsible for carrying out search and rescue operations for air accidents in the various areas of the Kingdom's territory.
2- Coordination: All relevant authorities and bodies must coordinate with the Authority in this. The Authority is the reference point, and the other bodies work in coordination with it, not separately.
3- Detailed rules: The Regulations set the search and rescue rules, and the text does not give their details.
Practical importance: Placing responsibility in one body prevents clashing and delayed efforts in cases where time is decisive, and ensures a clear body to turn to when an air accident occurs.
Relation to neighboring articles: This article follows Article 120, which defines search and rescue as any assistance given, even by mere announcement, to an aircraft facing destruction, danger, or fear for its safety, and to those on board. It is followed by Article 122, which requires the owner, operator or commander of an aircraft to carry out the search and rescue operations the Authority requests when necessary and if the aircraft's capabilities allow, and bars any person or body from refusing to give assistance. Anyone with a question about their role in rescue operations may consult the Authority or 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 121 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Who is responsible for search and rescue in air accidents in Saudi Arabia?
The Authority is the body responsible for carrying out search and rescue operations for air accidents in the various areas of the Kingdom's territory.
Do other bodies work independently in rescue?
No. All relevant authorities and bodies must coordinate with the Authority in this.
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.