Who can be held liable if I'm injured in an aviation accident?

Depending on the circumstances, liability may rest with the airline or air carrier, the aircraft operator, a maintenance provider, a manufacturer of defective aircraft parts, or another party whose negligence contributed to the accident. For most passenger flights, the operating carrier is the primary party responsible under the applicable carriers' liability regime. Establishing who is legally responsible requires investigating how and why the accident occurred.

Do I have to prove the airline was negligent to make a claim?

For international passenger carriage governed by the Montreal Convention 1999, you generally do not need to prove airline fault for bodily injury caused by an accident on board or during embarking or disembarking, up to the first-tier threshold. Above it, the carrier can avoid liability by proving no fault by the carrier, its servants or agents, or that the damage was caused solely by a third party’s fault. Passenger contributory negligence may reduce recovery in either tier. Domestic carriage follows separate rules and limits.

Is there a time limit for making an aviation injury claim?

Yes, and it is strict. Under both the Montreal Convention (Article 35) and the Civil Aviation (Carriers' Liability) Act 1959, court proceedings must generally be commenced within two years of the date the aircraft arrived, or ought to have arrived, at its destination. Missing this deadline can permanently extinguish your right to compensation, so it is important to seek advice early.

Does the same law apply to domestic and international flights?

No. International carriage to or from Australia is governed by the Montreal Convention 1999, given effect through the Civil Aviation (Carriers' Liability) Act 1959. Domestic flights within Australia are covered by the domestic provisions of that Act and complementary state legislation. Both regimes apply strict liability and a two-year time limit, but the liability limits and some details differ.

What compensation can I recover after an aviation accident?

Compensation may include damages for your injuries, past and future medical and rehabilitation costs, loss of past and future income or earning capacity, care and assistance, and out-of-pocket expenses. Where a passenger has died, dependants may be able to claim. The carriers' liability regime sets thresholds and, for some claims, statutory limits on the amount recoverable.

What should I do after being injured in an aviation accident?

Seek medical attention promptly and keep records of your treatment and expenses. Report the incident and retain your ticket, booking details and any correspondence. Because strict two-year time limits apply and aviation claims are legally complex, obtain advice from an experienced aviation injury lawyer as soon as possible. You can call Carter Capner Law on 1300 529 529.

Aviation incident feed

Aircraft category

Light aircraft accidents

Accidents and serious incidents involving light aircraft, including private, training, charter and recreational flights.

All aviation occurrences

Latest listing 26 Sep 2026
473 in the full feed

Aircraft categories

Aircraft category

REGVH-AKH Light aircraft
Beechcraft 58 Baron

Location

Off Angurugu, NT

Operator

Air Frontier Pty Ltd

Occurrence

Beechcraft 58 Baron Crashes into Sea (25 Aug 2026)

Listed 25 Aug 2026 Read report
REGVH-PFI Light aircraft · Charter
Beechcraft 1900D

Location

Near Pearce, WA

Operator

Penjet

Occurrence

Beechcraft 1900D Loss of Pressurisation (20 Aug 2026)

Listed 20 Aug 2026 Read report
REGVH-MAO Light aircraft
Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP

Location

Near Lyndhurst Station, QLD

Operator

MAF International

Occurrence

Serious incident Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP VH-MAO (16 Aug 2026)

Listed 16 Aug 2026 Read report
Registration unknown Light aircraft
Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat

Location

Near Townsville Aerodrome, QLD

Operator

Not stated

Occurrence

Wirestrike Serious incident Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat (13 Aug 2026)

Listed 13 Aug 2026 Read report
Registration unknown Light aircraft
Tecnam P92 Eaglet

Location

Redcliffe Airport, QLD

Operator

Not stated

Occurrence

Tecnam P92 Eaglet Loses Control During Landing (12 Aug 2026)

Listed 12 Aug 2026 Read report
Registration unknown Light aircraft
Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen

Location

Bulloo Downs Station Airport (YBUO), QLD

Operator

Not stated

Occurrence

Accident Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen (11 Aug 2026)

Listed 11 Aug 2026 Read report
Registration unknown Light aircraft
ATEC 122 Zephyr 2000

Location

Proserpine, QLD

Operator

Private

Occurrence

ATEC 122 Zephyr 2000 Strikes Safety Vehicle During Landing (9 Aug 2026)

Listed 9 Aug 2026 Read report
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Hurt in a light aircraft accident?

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Questions about aviation injury claims

Liability, time limits, domestic and international flights, and what to do after an accident. General information only, not legal advice.

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Beechcraft 58 Baron

Beechcraft 1900D

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP

Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat

Tecnam P92 Eaglet

Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen

ATEC 122 Zephyr 2000

Questions about aviation injury claims