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S 645 102th Congress Senate

General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1991

Official title: A bill to regulate interstate commerce by providing for uniform standards of liability for harm arising out of general aviation accidents.

Introduced: March 13, 1991 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Aircraft industryAviation safetyCivil actions and liabilityCivil procedure
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
DamagesDefective productsDistrict courtsEvidence (Law)Federal preemptionJurisdictionLegal feesLiability for aircraft accidentsLimitation of actionsNegligencePrivate aviationProduct safetyProducts liabilityPunitive damagesStandards
This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 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
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 Latest action September 19, 1991

Committee on Commerce. Hearings held.

 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.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 645: General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1991. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-S-645/
MLA
"S. 645: General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1991." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-S-645/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 645, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-S-645/.
Markdown link
[S. 645: General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1991](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-S-645/)
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