Who can be considered potential plaintiffs if you act negligently?

The correct answer comes from the legal principle of foreseeability, which is a key concept in establishing negligence. In aviation law, as in other areas of tort law, a potential plaintiff is typically someone who could be reasonably expected to be affected by the negligent actions of another party. This means any individual or entity that could foreseeably suffer harm as a result of the negligent act can be considered a potential plaintiff.

For instance, if a pilot operates an aircraft negligently, not only could passengers on the aircraft be harmed, but also individuals on the ground, nearby property owners, and possibly even those in the surrounding community could be affected. If an accident occurs, those who could foreseeably be harmed by the pilot's negligence extend beyond just those physically present on the aircraft at the time of the incident. This reflects a broader understanding of the impact of aviation operations and reinforces the responsibility of operators to consider the safety of others.

The other options limit the scope of potential plaintiffs inappropriately. The first option excludes those who may be affected while not being passengers, the third option confines liability to only property damage, and the fourth option incorrectly narrows the scope to individuals strictly within the flight path without considering broader impacts. Recognizing foreseeability as the guiding principle helps