Title 46, ShippingRelease 119-110

§30307 Commercial Aviation Accidents

Title 46 › Subtitle III — Maritime Liability › CHAPTER 303 — DEATH ON THE HIGH SEAS › § 30307

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

If someone dies in a commercial airplane accident on the high seas more than 12 nautical miles from the U.S. shore, the survivors can get extra money for loss of care, comfort, and companionship (called nonpecuniary damages), but they cannot get punitive damages (extra punishment money). If the accident is on the high seas 12 nautical miles or less from the U.S. shore, these rules do not apply.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §30307

Shipping, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definition.—
In this section, the term “nonpecuniary damages” means damages for loss of care, comfort, and companionship.
(b)Beyond 12 Nautical Miles.—
In an action under this chapter, if the death resulted from a commercial aviation accident occurring on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles from the shore of the United States, additional compensation is recoverable for nonpecuniary damages, but punitive damages are not recoverable.
(c)Within 12 Nautical Miles.—
This chapter does not apply if the death resulted from a commercial aviation accident occurring on the high seas 12 nautical miles or less from the shore of the United States.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 30307(a)46 App.:762(b)(2).Mar. 30, 1920, ch. 111, §§ 1(b), 2(b); as added Pub. L. 106–181, title IV, § 404(a)(2), (b)(2), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 131. 30307(b)46 App.:762(b)(1). 30307(c)46 App.:761(b). In subsections (b) and (c), the words “the United States” are substituted for “any State, or the District of Columbia, or the Territories or dependencies of the United States” because of the definition of “United States” in chapter 1 of the revised title. In subsection (b), the words “of a decedent” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (c), the words “if the death resulted from a commercial aviation accident occurring on the high seas” are substituted for “In the case of a commercial aviation accident, whenever the death of a person shall be caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas” for consistency with subsection (b) and to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “and the rules applicable under Federal, State, and other appropriate law shall apply” are omitted as unnecessary.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 30307

Title 46, Shipping

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110