Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 39B: Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Federal statute criminalizes knowingly or recklessly interfering with aircraft operation in ways that pose imminent safety hazards, and unauthorized unmanned aircraft operation in runway exclusion zones. Penalties range from up to 1 year imprisonment for basic violations to life imprisonment if serious injury or death results.

Read the full statutory text
Knowingly interferes with, or disrupts the operation of, an aircraft carrying 1 or more occupants operating in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, in a manner that poses an imminent safety hazard to such occupants, shall be punished as provided in subsection (c). Recklessly interferes with, or disrupts the operation of, an aircraft carrying 1 or more occupants operating in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, in a manner that poses an imminent safety hazard to such occupants, shall be punished as provided in subsection (c). Any person who, without authorization, knowingly operates an unmanned aircraft within a runway exclusion zone shall be punished as provided in subsection (c). centered on the centerline of an active runway of an airport immediately around which the airspace is designated as class B, class C, or class D airspace at the surface under part 71 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and the length of which extends parallel to the runway’s centerline to points that are 1 statute mile from each end of the runway and the width of which is ½ statute mile. Except as provided in paragraph (2), the punishment for an offense under subsections 1 (a) or (b) shall be a fine under this title, imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both. 1 So in original. Probably should be “subsection”. Causes serious bodily injury or death during the commission of an offense under subsection (a)(2) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for a term of up to 10 years, or both. Causes, or attempts or conspires to cause, serious bodily injury or death during the commission of an offense under subsections (a)(1) and (b) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.