55. Losing ship or aircraft.

(1) Every person subject to naval law who 1[wilfully] loses, strands or hazards or suffers to be lost, stranded or hazarded any ship of the Indian Navy or in the service of the Government, or loses or suffers to be lost any aircraft of the Indian Navy or in the service of the Government shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.

(2) Every person subject to naval law who negligently or by any default loses, strands or hazards or suffers to be lost, stranded or hazarded any ship of the Indian Navy or in the service of the Government, or loses or suffers to be lost any aircraft of the Indian Navy or in the service of the Government shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.

2[55A. Dangerous unauthorised flying.

Every person subject to naval law, who is guilty of any act or neglect in flying or in the use of any aircraft of the Indian Navy or in relation to any such aircraft or aircraft material, which causes or is likely to cause loss of life or bodily injury to any person shall,

(a) if he acts wilfully or with wilful neglect, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years 3[or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned]; and

(b) in any other case, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.

55B. Inaccurate certificate.

Every person subject to naval law who signs any certificate in relation to an aircraft or aircraft material belonging to or in the service of the Government without ensuring the accuracy thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.

55C. Low flying and annoyance by flying.

Every person subject to naval law being the pilot of an aircraft of the Indian Navy, who

(a) flies it at a height less than the minimum height authorised by his commanding officer or appropriate service authority except while taking off or landing; or

(b) flies it so as to cause or likely to cause unnecessary annoyance to any person,

shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.

55D. Disobedience of lawful command of captain of an aircraft.

Every person subject to naval law, who while he is in an aircraft belonging to or in the use of the Government, disobeys any lawful command given by the captain of the aircraft, whether such captain is subject to naval law or not, in relation to all matters relating to flying or handling of the aircraft or affecting the safety thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.]

1. Subs. by Act 53 of 1974, s. 14, for "designedly" (w.e.f. 16-12-1974).

2. Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-12-1974).

3. Ins. by Act 48 of 1982, s. 2 (w.e.f. 16-10-1982).

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