Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Civil Aviation Act 2023

Functions, powers, and duties of participants in civil aviation system - General offences and liability provisions

47: Responsibility for damage by descent by parachute

You could also call this:

"Who pays for damage when you parachute from a plane?"

Illustration for Civil Aviation Act 2023

If you jump from a plane with a parachute and cause damage, this law applies to you. You cannot get money from the plane's owner for the damage you caused, according to section 46. The laws in sections 45 and 46 still apply to you, as if you owned the plane.

If you had to jump from the plane to avoid getting hurt or dying, this law does not apply to you. This means you are not responsible for any damage you cause in that situation. You are treated differently if you jump to save yourself.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS50157.

Topics:
Transport and travel > Air travel
Previous

46: Circumstances in which owner entitled to be indemnified for responsibility for damage, or

"When you can get help paying for damage if someone says your aircraft caused it"

Next

48: Claim against Crown in respect of damage, loss, or injury due to service aircraft, or

"Claiming for damage caused by a military plane"

Part 2Functions, powers, and duties of participants in civil aviation system
General offences and liability provisions

47Responsibility for damage by descent by parachute

  1. This section applies if damage or loss is caused by a person descending from an aircraft by parachute.

  2. Damages are not recoverable under section 46 from the owner of the aircraft in respect of the damage or loss.

  3. Sections 45 and 46 apply, with any necessary modifications, as if the person descending were the owner of the aircraft.

  4. This section does not apply in respect of damage or loss caused by a person descending from an aircraft by parachute where the descent is required to avoid injury or death.

Compare