Paper before physical. No one moves a disabled aircraft until the FAA and NTSB are notified (if required), the aircraft is released, and the operator’s hold harmless agreement is signed. Keep this blank template printed and staged with your recovery kit, so paperwork never delays the recovery.
This is the complete text of the download — read it before you need it. Blanks are completed at the time of the recovery.
The undersigned agrees that __________________________ (name of airport or airport authority), and its commissioners, board members, officers, agents, and employees (hereafter, collectively, the “Airport”), shall not be liable for any injury (including death) to any persons, or for damage to any property, sustained or alleged to have been sustained, as a result of or in connection with __________________________ at __________________________ (including but not limited to all real property and improvements owned or operated by the Airport).
The undersigned shall defend, indemnify, and save the Airport harmless from all liability, claims, suits, and actions (including indemnification for attorneys’ and consultants’ fees) brought by any person or entity for:
(A) injuries to, or death of, any person, including all persons directly or indirectly employed by the undersigned, its contractors, or agents; and
(B) damage to property (including liability for the loss of use of such property)
received or sustained as a result of the above-described activities, except where caused by the sole negligence of the Airport.
The undersigned shall be liable to the Airport for any loss, injury, or damage to the Airport caused by the undersigned, its officers, agents, or employees in connection with or as a result of the above-described activities.
The undersigned shall pay attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Airport in establishing and enforcing the Airport’s rights under this agreement.
I have read the foregoing conditions and certify my compliance by my signature. I further understand that I shall not permit, authorize, or attempt to gain approval for the above-described activity for anyone other than myself.
I warrant that I have the authority to enter into this agreement on behalf of, and to fully bind, the undersigned.
Template only — review with legal counsel before use. Terms may need to be adapted to the airport, jurisdiction, and activity.
Open the Word file and add your Airport or FBO logo, name, and contact block in the placeholders.
Have your legal counsel review it and adapt the terms to your airport, jurisdiction, and activity.
Print a stack and stage it with your recovery kit. The agreement is signed before any tool touches the airframe — a recovery may take 15 minutes or 15 hours, and the paperwork should never be the reason it takes longer.
This page and the downloadable files are general information for airport operations and FBO teams, not legal advice. Every recovery, airport, and jurisdiction is different — review the agreement with your legal counsel before use.
This template is one page of a bigger plan. The Field Recovery Guide is the quick-reference playbook for airport ops and FBO crews — what to do when a disabled aircraft is on your runway, from first call to runway clear. Leave your email and we’ll send it over.