Connecticut § 15-71b - Aircraft accidents: Definitions.

§ 15-71b. Aircraft accidents: Definitions.

Sec. 15-71b. Aircraft accidents: Definitions. As used in sections 15-45 and 15-71a and chapter 267:

(1) “Aircraft accident” means an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, in which any person suffers death or serious injury as a result of such person being in or upon the aircraft or in direct contact with the aircraft or anything attached thereto or as a result of the operation of the aircraft, or the aircraft receives substantial damage;

(2) “Substantial damage” means (A) damage in excess of one thousand dollars to the property of any person, or (B) damage or structural failure which adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics of the aircraft or unmanned aircraft, and which would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component. “Substantial damage” does not include engine failure, damage limited to an engine, bent fairings or cowling, dented skin, small punctured holes in the skin of fabric, ground damage to rotor or propeller blades and damage to landing gear, wheels, tires, flaps, engine accessories, brakes or wing tips; and

(3) “Unmanned aircraft accident” means an occurrence associated with the operation of an unmanned aircraft that takes place between the time an unmanned aircraft takes off until such unmanned aircraft lands, in which any person suffers death or serious injury because of such person being in direct contact with the unmanned aircraft or anything attached thereto or because of the operation of the unmanned aircraft, or the unmanned aircraft incurs or causes substantial damage.

(1969, P.A. 309, S. 1; P.A. 24-40, S. 30.)

History: P.A. 24-40 amended introductory language to add reference to Sec. 15-45, deleted former Subsec. (b) defining “operator”, redesignated existing Subsecs. (a) and (c) as Subdivs. (1) and (2), amended redesignated Subdiv. (2) by adding Subpara. (A) re property damage in excess of $1,000, designated existing provision as Subpara. (B) and amended same to add reference to unmanned aircraft, added Subdiv. (3) defining “unmanned aircraft accident” and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2024.