Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-110
§46318 Interference with Cabin or Flight Crew
Title 49 › SUBTITLE VII — AVIATION PROGRAMS › PART A — AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY › subpart iv — enforcement and penalties › CHAPTER 463 — PENALTIES › § 46318
Summary
If someone hits, sexually assaults, threatens to hurt, or does anything that creates an immediate danger to a pilot, flight attendant, or anyone else on a plane, they must pay the U.S. government a civil fine of up to $35,000. The Secretary can reduce that fine, and the government can take the fine amount out of money it owes that person.
Full Legal Text
Title 49, §46318
Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)General Rule.—
An individual who physically or sexually assaults or threatens to physically or sexually assault a member of the flight crew or cabin crew of a civil aircraft or any other individual on the aircraft, or takes any action that poses an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or other individuals on the aircraft is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $35,000.
(b)Compromise and Setoff.—
(1)Compromise.—
The Secretary may compromise the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this section.
(2)Setoff.—
The United States Government may deduct the amount of a civil penalty imposed or compromised under this section from amounts the Government owes the person liable for the penalty.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–254 inserted “or sexually” after “physically” in two places and substituted “$35,000” for “$25,000”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as an
Effective Date
of 2000
Amendments
note under section 106 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
49 U.S.C. § 46318
Title 49, Transportation
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110