Assemblymember Amy Paulin urges the legislature to pass her bills to make small planes safer, A.3920 and A.1175. The legislation would require small plane owners to register with the NYSDOT and show proof of third-party insurance, helping to track small plane use and protect victims of plane crashes. The second bill authorizes the study of general aviation flight operations by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), in order to update safety guidelines and address any current shortfalls.
“In recent years, we’ve seen more and more incidents of small plane crashes, and just last week a small plane crashed onto I-684 in Westchester County, tragically killing one of the plane’s two passengers,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. “Improved safety guidelines and guidance are fundamental to help avoid this type of fateful accident. State registration and third-party insurance should also be required so that plane passengers and victims on the ground are protected. All this would be codified in my small plane safety bills, which I’ll fight to pass during the 2025 legislative session.”
Paulin’s bill A.3920 directs the NYSDOT to study aviation flight operations. Specifically, the NYSDOT would be required to compile accident statistics, as well as assess the
relative safety of flight operations in New York and in other states. “By providing this information to the Legislature, policymakers will have the necessary information to understand best practices and make evidence-based policy decisions that promote the safety of New Yorkers,” said Paulin.
Paulin’s bill A.1175 requires small plane owners to obtain third-party liability insurance, helping to ensure that insurance covers plane passengers and victims on the ground. Currently plane insurance is not required by law, therefore if a pilot chooses not to purchase insurance, and another in the plane or on the ground is injured or suffers damages, the victims often have difficulties recovering for their injuries and losses. States that require this have found that by requiring insurance, planes are safer because insurance companies won’t insure them without annual safety inspections. “Protecting innocent victims is why we have insurance requirements for motor vehicles, and we should have the same requirement in place for planes,” said Paulin.
Paulin’s bill A.1175 would also require small plane owners to register with the State in order to keep track of small plane ownership, use, accident data, and accident cost information.
“While the State can’t regulate the safety measures of general aviation aircraft, which is done by the FAA,” said Paulin, “the State Legislature can and should take these steps to improve small plane safety.”
A.3920/S.5982a is sponsored in the New York State Senate by Senator Monica Martinez.
A.1175/S.1664 is sponsored in the New York State Senate by New York Senator Jamaal Bailey.
