Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§46308 Interference with air navigation

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VII— - AVIATION PROGRAMS › Part PART A— - AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY › Subpart subpart iv— - enforcement and penalties › Chapter CHAPTER 463— - PENALTIES › § 46308

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

You can be fined, jailed up to 5 years, or both, in the U.S. if you intentionally show or keep misleading lights or signals, or purposely interfere with real navigation lights.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §46308

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

A person shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both, if the person—
(1)with intent to interfere with air navigation in the United States, exhibits in the United States a light or signal at a place or in a way likely to be mistaken for a true light or signal established under this part or for a true light or signal used at an air navigation facility;
(2)after a warning from the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, continues to maintain a misleading light or signal; or
(3)knowingly interferes with the operation of a true light or signal.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 4630849 App.:1472(c).Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, § 902(c), 72 Stat. 784. 49 App.:1655(c)(1).Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, § 6(c)(1), 80 Stat. 938; Jan. 12, 1983, Pub. L. 97–449, § 7(b), 96 Stat. 2444. In this section, before clause (1), the words “fined under title 18” are substituted for “a fine of not exceeding $5,000” for consistency with title 18. The words “such fine and imprisonment” are omitted as surplus. In clause (1), the words “used at” are substituted for “in connection with” for clarity. The words “airport or other” are omitted as being included in the definition of “air navigation facility” in section 40102(a) of the revised title. In clause (2), the word “due” is omitted as surplus. The word “Administrator” in section 902(c) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Public Law 85–726, 72 Stat. 784) is retained on authority of 49:106(g). In clause (3), the words “removes, extinguishes, or” are omitted as surplus.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 46308

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73