Does the federal statute of repose under GARA cover defects in FAA-certified aircraft indefinitely?

The federal statute of repose under the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) does not cover defects in FAA-certified aircraft indefinitely; rather, it has specific limitations. GARA was enacted to encourage the production of general aviation aircraft by providing manufacturers a limitation on the timeframe within which claims can be asserted for design and manufacturing defects.

Under GARA, the statute of repose provides a 18-year period from the date of delivery of the aircraft to the first purchaser during which a claim can be made. This means that after 18 years, manufacturers are generally immune from liability related to defects. This provision seeks to protect manufacturers from indefinite liability for products that may have long been in service, helping to foster a stable environment for the production and sale of general aviation aircraft.

Thus, the correct understanding of GARA is that it clearly outlines a set limitation, making it evident that claims cannot be brought indefinitely but are instead capped at the 18-year mark from the date of delivery. This structured limitation reinforces the aim of balancing consumer rights with the need for manufacturers to have some certainty in their long-term liability.