Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-102
§46504 Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants
Title 49 › SUBTITLE VII — AVIATION PROGRAMS › PART A — AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY › subpart iv — enforcement and penalties › CHAPTER 465 — SPECIAL AIRCRAFT JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES › § 46504
Summary
On U.S. planes, attacking or threatening crew members — including attempts or plots to do so — can bring a fine under Title 18, up to 20 years in prison, or both; weapon use allows any term of years or life.
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
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102