Any nonresident of this state, being the pilot, operator, legal or equitable owner, lessor, or lessee of any aircraft, who accepts the privilege of operating an aircraft, or of having the same operated within or over this state, or any resident of this state, being the pilot, operator, legal or equitable owner, lessor, or lessee of any aircraft, who subsequently becomes a nonresident or conceals his whereabouts, by operation of such aircraft within or over this state makes the secretary of state of this state his agent for the service of summons in any civil suit or proceeding instituted in the courts of this state against any pilot, operator, legal or equitable owner, lessor, or lessee of such aircraft arising out of or by reason of any damage, accident, or injury occurring within this state during such operation. Such appointment is irrevocable and binding upon the executor or administrator of such nonresident pilot, operator, legal or equitable owner, lessor, or lessee.

Such summons shall be served by the officer to whom the same is directed or by the sheriff of Franklin county, who may be deputized for such purposes by the officer to whom the service is directed, upon the secretary of state by leaving at the office of the secretary of state at least fifteen days before the return day of such process, a true and attested copy thereof, and by sending to the defendant, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, a true and attested copy with an endorsement thereon of the service upon said secretary of state, addressed to the defendant at his last known address. The registered or certified mail return receipt of such defendant shall be attached to and made a part of the return of service of such summons. The return day shall be the third Monday after the date of such summons.

Where the nonresident pilot, operator, legal or equitable owner, lessor, or lessee dies prior to the commencement of an action brought pursuant to this section, service of summons shall be made on the executor or administrator of such nonresident pilot, operator, legal or equitable owner, lessor, or lessee in the same manner and by the same notice as is provided in the case of a nonresident pilot, operator, legal or equitable owner, lessor, or lessee. Where an action has been commenced under this section by service on a defendant who dies thereafter, the court must allow the action to be continued against his executor or administrator upon motion with such notice as the court deems proper. Where the nonresident pilot, operator, legal or equitable owner, lessor, or lessee of such aircraft is an infant, service in the manner provided in this section shall be made upon the infant only and service upon the persons named in section 2703.13 of the Revised Code is not required.

Effective Date: 01-23-1963 .