6:5-3 - Secretary of State as agent
6:5-3. Secretary of State as agent
3. (a) Any person, not being a resident of this State, who shall operate, pilot or avigate any aircraft on or over the land or waters or through the airspace of this State, whether or not such person shall be licensed to do so in accordance with the laws of this State or of any other state or under the provisions of the laws, rules or regulations of the United States Government or otherwise; and
(b) Any person or persons, not being a resident or residents of this State or any corporation or association, not incorporated under the laws of this State and not duly authorized to transact business in this State, who by his, their or its agent or servant, shall cause to be operated, piloted or navigated on or over the land or waters or through the airspace of this State any aircraft, which is not registered in this State, whether or not the operator, owner or pilot shall be licensed to operate, pilot or avigate aircraft on or over the land or waters or through the airspace of this State; shall by the operation of such aircraft or by causing the same to be operated, piloted or avigated, over the land or waters or through the airspace of this State, make and constitute the Secretary of State his, their or its agent for the acceptance of process in any civil action issuing out of any court of civil jurisdiction, against any such person or persons, corporation or association, arising out of or by reason of any accident or collision occurring on or over the land or waters or in the airspace of this State in which such aircraft so operated, piloted or avigated is involved. The operating, piloting or avigating or causing to be operated, piloted or avigated of any such aircraft, on or over the land or waters or through the airspace of this State, shall be the signification of the agreement of such nonresident person operating, piloting or avigating the same or of such person or persons or corporation or association for whom such aircraft is operated, piloted or avigated, of his, their or its agreement that any process, against him, them or it which is so served shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served, upon him or them personally or upon it, in accordance with law within this State.
L.1952,c.199,s.3; amended 1991,c.91,s.187.