Article 145 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 145 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثاني: المسؤولية عن الأضرار التي تسببها الطائرة للغير على سطح الأرض
Where damage on the surface arises from a collision of two or more aircraft in flight, or one obstructing another, or from two or more aircraft, each aircraft is deemed to have caused the damage and each operator is liable in proportion to its fault or that of its employees.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا نشأ ضرر للغير على سطح الأرض يستحق عنه تعويض نتيجة تصادم طائرتين أو أكثر في حالة طيران ، أو بسبب إعاقة إحداهما سير الأخرى، أو إذا نشأ مثل هذا الضرر من طائرتين أو أكثر، فتعد كل طائرة متسببة في وقوع الضرر، ويكون مشغل كل منهما مسؤولا بنسبة خطئه أو خطأ تابعيه وفقا لأحكام هذا الفصل.
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 145 explained in plain English
This article deals with the situation in which more than one aircraft takes part in causing damage to a third party on the surface.
Cases covered: damage for which compensation is due that arose:
- as a result of a collision of two or more aircraft in flight;
- or because of one obstructing the movement of the other; or
- such damage arose from two or more aircraft.
The rule:
- each aircraft is deemed to have caused the damage;
- the operator of each is liable in proportion to its fault or the fault of its employees; and
- in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Practical meaning: The injured person need not identify which of the aircraft was the cause, since both are deemed to have caused it. The burden is then divided between the operators according to the proportion of each one's fault or that of its employees.
The text does not specify how the proportion of fault is assessed.
This article follows Article 144, which sets out the cases of exemption from and reduction of liability, and precedes Article 146, which applies the maximum compensation limits in accordance with the international treaties the Kingdom has joined. Anyone harmed by an accident involving more than one aircraft may consult a lawyer specializing in compensation and aviation cases.
Practical example
Two small aircraft collided in the air near an airport, and parts of them fell on a warehouse in the industrial area. Each aircraft is deemed to have caused the damage, and the operator of each is liable in proportion to its fault or that of its employees.
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 145 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Who compensates the damage if two aircraft collide?
Each aircraft is deemed to have caused the damage, and the operator of each is liable in proportion to its fault or that of its employees.
Does the rule cover one aircraft obstructing another without a collision?
Yes. It covers damage arising because one of the aircraft obstructed the movement of the other.
More articles on Compensation for Damage Caused by Aircraft on the Ground
- Article 66
The article protects anyone who suffers surface damage from an aircraft when it is seized and sold by forced sale: security rights can be asserted against them only up to 80% of the price, unless the damage was insured.
1- إذا تم إجراء البيع الجبري في المملكة ووقع في إقليمها ضرر على السطح من طائرة تم ترتيب أحد الحقوق الواردة في المادة (السادسة والخمسين) من هذا النظام عليها ضمان
- Article 140
For the purposes of the chapter on damage on the surface, an aircraft is in flight from when motive power is first used for actual takeoff until landing; a lighter-than-air aircraft, from when it leaves the ground until it is secured again.
عند تطبيق أحكام هذا الفصل تعد الطائرة في حالة طيران منذ اللحظة التي يبدأ فيها استخدام القوة المحركة لغرض الإقلاع الفعلي حتى اللحظة التي يتم فيها الهبوط، وتبدأ ه
- Article 141
Anyone harmed on the surface in the Kingdom is entitled to compensation from the aircraft operator once it is shown that the damage arose directly from the aircraft in flight or from a person or thing that fell from it, subject to specified exceptions.
1 - لكل من أصيب بضرر على سطح الأرض في إقليم المملكة الحق في الحصول على تعويض من مشغل الطائرة بمجرد ثبوت أن الضرر قد نشأ مباشرة من الطائرة وهي في حالة طيران أو م
- Article 142
The aircraft operator is liable for compensation for surface damage whether it uses the aircraft itself or through its employees and agents, and the owner or lessee in whose name the aircraft is registered is deemed the operator unless it proves someone else is.
1 - يكون مشغل الطائرة مسؤولا عن التعويض المشار إليه في المادة (الحادية والأربعين بعد المائة) من هذا النظام سواء أكان يستعمل الطائرة بنفسه أو بواسطة تابعيه ووكلا
- Article 143
A person entitled to use the aircraft for less than 14 days is jointly liable with the person who authorized the use, and the operator is jointly liable with anyone who used its aircraft without its consent unless it proves it took the necessary care.
1- يكون الشخص الذي له حق استعمال الطائرة لمدة تقل عن أربعة عشر يوما مسؤولا بالتضامن مع الشخص الذي خوله هذا الحق في دفع التعويض عن الأضرار الموجبة للتعويض المشار
- Article 144
The liable person is exempt from compensating surface damage caused by armed conflict or civil disturbance, by being barred from using the aircraft by order of public authorities, or by the injured person's fault; compensation is reduced in proportion to the injured person's contribution.
1- لا يلتزم الشخص المسؤول وفقا لأحكام هذا الفصل بتعويض الضرر الذي يقع في الأحوال الآتية: أ - إذا كان الضرر قد نتج مباشرة عن نزاع مسلح أو لاضطرابات مدنية. ب - إ
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.