Any nonresident of this state who is the operator or owner of any aircraft and who accepts the privileges extended by the laws of this state to nonresident operators and owners of aircraft of using its aviation facilities, or of having the same operated over, or who operates an airplane above or upon, the territorial limits of this state, shall, by such operation, be deemed to have appointed the executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, such operator or owner's agent and attorney for the service of process in any civil suit or proceeding instituted in the courts of this state against such operator or owner arising out of or by reason of any accident or collision, occurring within or above the state, in which such aircraft is involved. Such process shall be served by the officer to whom the same is directed upon the executive director by leaving at the office of the executive director, at least twelve days before the return day of such process, a true and attested copy thereof, and by sending to the defendant at such defendant's last-known address by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, a like true and attested copy, with an endorsement thereon of the service upon the executive director. The officer serving such process upon the executive director shall pay to the executive director at the time of service a fee of five dollars, which fee shall be taxed as costs in the case. The executive director shall keep a record of each such process and the day and hour of the service thereof. This section shall extend the right of service of process upon nonresidents and shall not limit any existing provisions for the service of process. Such service shall be sufficient to confer jurisdiction of any such action upon the court to which such process is returnable, and such court may proceed to determine the issues in such action and render final judgment with or without any further action by such court concerning further order of notice to such operator or owner.
(1949 Rev., S. 4831–4834; 1959, P.A. 322, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 188; P.A. 15-192, S. 43.)
History: 1959 act increased fee for service of process on director; 1969 act replaced “director of aeronautics” and “director” with “commissioner”, referring to commissioner of transportation; P.A. 15-192 replaced references to commissioner with references to executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority and made technical changes, effective July 2, 2015 (Revisor's note: A reference to “said commissioner” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “the executive director” for consistency).
See Sec. 15-106 re policy or bond requirements.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 15 - Navigation and Aeronautics
Section 15-39. - Inspector's credentials.
Section 15-40. - General powers and duties of commission.
Section 15-41. - Regulations and standards.
Section 15-43. - Intervention.
Section 15-44. - Enforcement of aeronautics laws.
Section 15-45. - Investigations.
Section 15-53. - Licensing of airports and landing areas.
Section 15-54. - Revocation or suspension of right to operate aircraft.
Section 15-60. - Exhibition of licenses and certificates.
Section 15-66. - Actions of executive director. Inspections.
Section 15-68. - Using aircraft without permission.
Section 15-68a. - Unlawful use of aircraft.
Section 15-70 and 15-71. - Coroner to investigate fatal accidents. Accidents to be reported.
Section 15-71a. - Accidents to be reported.
Section 15-71b. - Aircraft accidents: Definitions.
Section 15-72. - Flying carelessly, negligently or recklessly.
Section 15-74. - Removal of obstructions to air navigation.
Section 15-74a. - Definitions.
Section 15-74b. - Lines within clear zone prohibited.
Section 15-74c. - Permit for lines and facilities within one-half mile of runway.
Section 15-75. - Charges and rentals. Liens.
Section 15-76. - Abandoned aircraft. Lien for storage charges. Notice to executive director.
Section 15-77. - Operating under or carrying passengers under influence of liquor or drugs.
Section 15-80. - Aviation commissions.
Section 15-87. - Service of process against nonresident owners and operators.
Section 15-88. - Airport zoning. Definitions.
Section 15-89. - Public interest.
Section 15-90. - Airport approach plan.
Section 15-91. - Adoption of airport zoning regulations.
Section 15-92. - Airport hazard outside municipality.
Section 15-93. - Establishment or alteration of structures.
Section 15-94. - Regulations. Appeals.
Section 15-95. - Appeals from board of appeals.
Section 15-96. - Appeal to Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
Section 15-97a. - Meteorological evaluation tower markings. Penalty.
Section 15-98. - Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol. Clerical assistance.