Section 251. Liability of an owner of aircraft

1. Except as provided in
  subdivision three every  owner  of  an  aircraft  shall  be  liable  and
  responsible  for  death  occasioned  or  injuries  to person or property
  sustained, within or above this  state,  as  a  result  of  the  use  or
  operation  of the aircraft in the business of the owner or otherwise, by
  any person using or operating the aircraft with the permission,  express
  or  implied,  of  such  owner,  in  any  case  where the person using or
  operating the aircraft, or his estate, would be liable for such death or
  injuries.
    2. As used in this section, "owner" means any  person  (other  than  a
  lien  holder  or,  in  the cases hereinafter described, a secured party)
  having the property in or title to an aircraft, and also any  lessee  or
  bailee having the exclusive use thereof, under a lease or otherwise, for
  a period of thirty days or more, and their liability under this section,
  where  both  are  liable,  shall be joint and several. If an aircraft be
  sold under a contract which reserves a security interest in the aircraft
  in favor of the vendor, such vendor or his  assignee  shall  not,  after
  delivery  of  such aircraft, be deemed an owner within the provisions of
  this section, but the  vendee  or  his  assignee,  receiving  possession
  thereof,  shall  be  deemed such owner notwithstanding the terms of such
  contract, until the vendor or his assignee shall  retake  possession  of
  such  aircraft.  A  secured  party  in  whose  favor there is a security
  interest in an aircraft out of his possession shall not,  by  reason  of
  such security interest, be deemed an owner within the provisions of this
  section.
    3.  Subdivision  one  of  this  section  shall  not  apply  where  the
  permission to use or operate the  aircraft  is  the  permission  of  the
  lessor, expressed or implied, in a bona fide lease of the aircraft for a
  period  of thirty days or more, that the aircraft be used or operated by
  the lessee or by persons using or operating it with  the  permission  of
  the lessee.
    4.  All bonds executed by or policies of insurance issued to the owner
  of an aircraft shall contain  a  provision  for  indemnity  or  security
  against  the  liability and responsibility provided in this section; but
  this provision shall not be construed  as  requiring  that  such  policy
  include  insurance  against  any  liability  of  the  insured,  being an
  individual, for death of or injuries to his or her spouse or for  injury
  to property of his or her spouse.
    5.  This  section does not relieve an owner of aircraft from liability
  under any other statute or rule of law or affect the  liability  of  the
  person using or operating the aircraft.