PUBLIC LAWS-CHS. 482, 483-JUNE 16, 1948 June 16, 1948 IS. 2455] [Public Law 656] Civil Aeronautics Act, amendment. 49 U. S. C., Supp. I, §421 ctseq. Liability of owner, etc June 16, 1948 IS. 2456] [Public Law 657] [CHAPTER 482] AN ACT To amend the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended, by limiting the liability of certain persons not in possession of aircraft. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the UnitedStates of America in Congress assembled, That the Civil Aero- nautics Act of 1938, as amended (52 Stat. 973; U. S . C., title 49, sec. 401 and the following), is further amended by inserting, immediately following section 503 thereof, the following new section: "SEc. 504. No person having a security interest in, or security title to, any civil aircraft under a contract of conditional sale, equipment trust, chattel or corporate mortgage, or other instrument of similar nature, and no lessor of any such aircraft under a bona fide lease of thirty days or more, shall be liable by reason of such interest or title, or by reason of his interest as lessor or owner of the aircraft so leased, for any injury to or death of persons, or damage to or loss of property, on the surface of the earth (whether on land or water) caused by such aircraft, or by the ascent, descent, or flight of such aircraft or by the dropping or falling of an object therefrom, unless such aircraft is in the actual possession or control of such person at the time of such injury, death, damage, or loss." Approved June 16, 1948. [CHAPTER 483] AN ACT To provide safety in aviation and to direct a study of the causes and characteristics of thunderstorms and other atmospheric disturbances. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the stormsy thcder- united States of America in Congress assembed, That the Chief of the Weather Bureau is authorized and directed to study fully and thor- oughly the internal structure of thunderstorms, hurricanes, cyclones and other severe atmospheric disturbances, particularly the degree oi turbulence within such storms and the development, maintenance, and magnitude of updrafts and downdrafts with a view to establishing methods by which the characteristics of particular thunderstorms may be forecast and methods by which the characteristics of such storms may be determined on visual observation from outside of the immediate epora to Conr thunderstorm area. Such study shall be concluded at the earliest prac- ticable date and a final report submitted to Congress. The Chief of the Weather Bureau shall make interim reports to Congress at least annually during the course of the study. Erpenditures. SEm. 2. The Chief of the Weather Bureau is empowered to make such expenditures at the seat of government and elsewhere as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act and as from time to time may be appropriated for by Congress, including expenditures for the development and purchase of special meteorological instruments and other equipment (including motor vehicles and aircraft), without 41.S.C.I regard to the provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes. There is ereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for Coopertlf tother the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act. encies. Sxc. 3. Any executive department or independent establishment is hereby authorized to cooperate with the Chief of the Weather Bureau in carrying out the purposes of this Act, and for such purposes may lend or transfer to the Chief of the Weather Bureau any officer or employee of such department or establishment and any property, equip- ment, lands, or buildings under its control. Approved June 16, 1948. 470 [62 STAT.
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