Article 131 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 131 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب التاسع: البحث والإنقاذ
The Board of Grievances has jurisdiction over search and rescue claims if the accident occurred in the Kingdom, on the high seas or in a place under no state's sovereignty, and the aircraft is Saudi-registered or in the Kingdom's territory or the claimant is a Saudi national.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يختص ديوان المظالم بالدعاوى الناشئة عن البحث والإنقاذ عند وقوع الحادث في المملكة أو في أعالي البحار أو في مكان غير خاضع لسيادة أي دولة، وذلك في إحدى الحالات الآتية:
1 - إذا كانت الطائرة التي تم البحث عنها أو إنقاذها مسجلة في المملكة.
2 - إذا كان المدعي يحمل جنسية المملكة.
3 - إذا كانت الطائرة التي تم البحث عنها أو إنقاذها موجودة في إقليم المملكة .
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 131 explained in plain English
This article identifies the judicial body competent to hear disputes arising from search and rescue, such as claims for expenses or compensation.
The competent body: the Board of Grievances.
The location condition: The accident must occur:
- in the Kingdom; or
- on the high seas; or
- in a place not under the sovereignty of any state.
In addition, one of the following must be met:
- the aircraft searched for or rescued is registered in the Kingdom;
- the claimant holds the nationality of the Kingdom; or
- the aircraft searched for or rescued is located in the territory of the Kingdom.
One of the three cases together with the location condition is enough.
Practical effect: A person who wishes to bring a claim for expenses, compensation or rewards arising from search and rescue goes to the Board of Grievances when these conditions are met. The article does not address accidents in which these conditions are not met.
This article follows Article 130 on the rules for paying rewards, and precedes Article 132, which bars hearing claims arising from search and rescue after two years from the date the search and rescue ended. Anyone intending to bring such a claim may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and civil aviation.
Practical example
A Saudi helicopter company took part in rescuing an aircraft registered in the Kingdom that was in an accident over the high seas, and its expenses were not repaid. Its claim falls within the jurisdiction of the Board of Grievances because the accident occurred on the high seas and the aircraft is registered in the Kingdom, and it must be filed within two years of the end of the search and rescue.
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 131 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Where do I file a claim for aircraft rescue expenses in Saudi Arabia?
The Board of Grievances has jurisdiction over claims arising from search and rescue when the accident occurred in the Kingdom, on the high seas or in a place not under any state's sovereignty, and one of the three cases is met.
Does the Board of Grievances have jurisdiction if the aircraft is foreign?
Yes, if the claimant is a Saudi national or the aircraft is located in the territory of the Kingdom, provided the accident location condition is met.
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.