For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) ACCIDENT. An incident resulting in personal injury, death, or damage to property arising out of or relating to commercial aviation aircraft.

(2) AIRCRAFT. The meaning given such term in Section 40102(6) of Title 49 of the United States Code.

(3) AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE. An airworthiness certificate issued under Section 44704(d) of Title 49 of the United States Code or any predecessor federal statute, or from another airworthiness authority.

(4) COMMERCIAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT. Any aircraft for which a type certificate or an airworthiness certificate has been issued by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States or another airworthiness authority, which, at the time such certificate was originally issued, had a seating capacity of 100 or more passengers.

(5) DEFENDANT. Any defendant, counter-defendant, cross-defendant, or third-party defendant named in an action against a manufacturer arising out of an accident.

(6) MANUFACTURER. A manufacturer or assembler of commercial aviation aircraft or of any new component, system, subassembly, or other part of such aircraft, in its capacity as a manufacturer or assembler.

(7) REPOSE PERIOD. Twelve years with respect to commercial aviation aircraft and the components, systems, subassemblies, and other parts of such aircraft.

(8) TYPE CERTIFICATE. A type certificate issued under Section 44704(a) of Title 49 of the United States Code or any other predecessor federal statute, or another airworthiness authority.