§46504 — Title 49 Transportation | U.S. Code

Summary

If someone on an aircraft under U.S. jurisdiction assaults, threatens, tries to assault, or plans to assault or threaten a flight crew member or flight attendant and that act interferes with or reduces their ability to do their job, they can be fined under Title 18 and jailed for up to 20 years, or both. If a dangerous weapon is used, the person can be imprisoned for any number of years or for life.

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.

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,”.

§46504 Interference with Flight Crew Members and Attendants