---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 46318"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "46318"
heading: "Interference with cabin or flight crew"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/46318"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Aviation Programs"
  - "Part A — Air Commerce and Safety"
  - "Subpart iv — enforcement and penalties"
  - "Chapter 463 — Penalties"
---

# §46318. Interference with cabin or flight crew

- (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](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-16) or any other individual on the [aircraft](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-6), or takes any action that poses an imminent threat to the safety of the [aircraft](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-6) or other individuals on the [aircraft](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-6) is liable to the [United States](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-46) 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](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-46) 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.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 106–181, title V, § 511(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 142; amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title III, § 339(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3282.)

## Notes

### 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.