Skip to main content
S 645 102th Congress Senate Transportation and Public Works Aircraft industry Aviation safety Civil actions and liability Civil procedure Damages Defective products District courts Evidence (Law) Federal preemption Jurisdiction Legal fees Liability for aircraft accidents Limitation of actions Negligence Private aviation Product safety Products liability Punitive damages Standards

General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1991

Introduced: March 13, 1991 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 19, 1991
Committee on Commerce. Hearings held.
Mar 13, 1991
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mar 13, 1991
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1991 - Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding liability for general aviation accidents. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for general aviation accidents.

States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility.

Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 20 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of a general aviation accident.

Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees.

Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions that exceed $50,000 for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Provides procedures for removal from State to Federal district courts of such actions.

What's happening now September 19, 1991

Committee on Commerce. Hearings held.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1