Title 49 — TransportationRelease 119-73

§46504 Interference with flight crew members and attendants

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VII— - AVIATION PROGRAMS › Part PART A— - AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY › Subpart subpart iv— - enforcement and penalties › Chapter CHAPTER 465— - SPECIAL AIRCRAFT JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES › § 46504

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

If someone on an aircraft under U.S. jurisdiction assaults, intimidates, or otherwise stops a flight crew member or flight attendant from doing their job, or tries or plans to do so, they can be fined under Title 18, jailed for up to 20 years, or both. If a dangerous weapon is used, the person can be sentenced to any term of years or to life in prison.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §46504

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

An individual on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States who, by assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member or flight attendant of the aircraft, interferes with the performance of the duties of the member or attendant or lessens the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. However, if a dangerous weapon is used in assaulting or intimidating the member or attendant, the individual shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 4650449 App.:1472(j).Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, 72 Stat. 731, § 902(j); added Sept. 5, 1961, Pub. L. 87–197, § 1, 75 Stat. 466; Oct. 14, 1970, Pub. L. 91–449, § 1(3), 84 Stat. 921. The words “or threatens” are omitted as being included in “intimidating”. The words “(including any steward or stewardess)” are omitted as being included in “attendant”. The words “fined under title 18” are substituted for “fined not more than $10,000” for consistency with title 18. The words “deadly or” are omitted as surplus.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2001—Pub. L. 107–56 inserted “or attempts or conspires to do such an act,” before “shall be fined under title 18,”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 46504

Title 49 — Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73