Interference with Flight Crew – 49 U.S.C. § 46504 Sentencing Guidelines

Thanks for visiting Spodek Law Group, a second-generation firm managed by Todd Spodek with over 40 years of combined experience. When federal prosecutors charge interference with flight crew members under 49 U.S.C. § 46504, they’re alleging you assaulted, threatened, or intimidated crew members or flight attendants while they performed their duties aboard aircraft. Maximum sentence: **20 years**—identical to aircraft piracy’s maximum, reflecting Congress’s view that interfering with crew endangers everyone aboard by undermining flight safety systems. These prosecutions have surged in recent years as unruly passenger incidents have increased dramatically: alcohol-fueled altercations, mask mandate disputes, seat conflicts escalating to violence, and passengers experiencing mental health crises mid-flight.

What the Statute Criminalizes

Section 46504 creates liability through three pathways:

• **Assault or intimidation** – Physically attacking crew, threatening them with violence, or using intimidation tactics that interfere with their duties. Punching flight attendants, threatening pilots, or aggressively confronting crew while they enforce safety rules.
• **Interfering with performance of duties** – Preventing or hindering crew from performing safety-critical functions: refusing to comply with safety instructions, blocking aisles during emergencies, disrupting crew members attempting to assist other passengers, interfering with cockpit communications.
• **Attempting or conspiring to commit interference** – Planning to interfere, taking steps toward interference, or working with others to disrupt flights. Attempts receive the same statutory maximum as completed interference.

The statute protects “flight crew members” and “flight attendants”—anyone responsible for aircraft safety or passenger service aboard commercial and private aircraft. Pilots, copilots, flight engineers, cabin crew, even air marshals fall under this protection when performing official duties.

The “Performance of Duties” Element

Prosecutors must prove crew members were performing their duties when interference occurred. What qualifies?

• *Safety instructions* – Enforcing seatbelt requirements, directing passengers to turn off electronic devices, instructing passengers to remain seated during turbulence
• *Emergency responses* – Managing medical emergencies, preparing for emergency landings, evacuating aircraft
• *Security enforcement* – Addressing threats, restraining violent passengers, implementing security protocols
• *Passenger service* – Serving food/beverages, assisting with seating, managing conflicts between passengers. Even routine service falls under “duties” because it maintains order necessary for safe flight operations.

Defense challenges whether crew members were actually performing duties or acting outside their authority. If flight attendants provoked confrontations, exceeded their authority in demanding passenger compliance, or created situations through their own misconduct, defendants might argue interference was justified response to crew overreach. But courts defer heavily to crew authority—flight attendants’ instructions carry presumption of validity regarding flight safety.

Unruly Passengers: The Growing Problem

FAA reported record numbers of unruly passenger incidents in recent years: 5,981 reports in 2021 alone, compared to 1,099 in 2020 and 146 in 2019. The surge correlated with pandemic-related tensions—mask mandate enforcement, heightened anxieties, increased alcohol consumption by passengers stressed about travel.

Common scenarios leading to § 46504 charges:

• **Mask mandate disputes** – Passengers refusing to wear masks or becoming belligerent when crew enforced mask requirements during COVID-19 pandemic
• **Intoxication** – Passengers consuming excessive alcohol (brought aboard or served by crew), becoming verbally abusive, physically aggressive, or refusing crew instructions
• **Seat conflicts** – Arguments with other passengers escalating to violence, with crew members injured while attempting to separate combatants
• **Sexual harassment/assault** – Passengers inappropriately touching crew members or making sexual advances, then becoming aggressive when rebuffed
• **Mental health episodes** – Passengers experiencing psychiatric crises, panic attacks, or delusional episodes that result in crew interference while crew attempts to manage situations

Post-pandemic, as mask mandates ended, unruly incidents decreased but remain elevated compared to pre-2020 levels. The heightened enforcement environment created new awareness of § 46504 prosecutions, leading to more federal charges for conduct that previously might have resulted only in airline bans.

Federal Sentencing: Offense Level 9-24

Under §2A5.2 of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, interference with flight crew receives base offense level 9. At Criminal History Category I, that yields 4-10 months. But enhancements quickly increase sentences:

• **+9 levels** if the offense involved assaulting a crew member (raising to level 18: 27-33 months)
• **+2 levels** if a dangerous weapon was possessed
• **+2 levels** if the offense resulted in substantial interference with flight operations (diversions, emergency landings, significant delays)
• **Cross-reference to assault guidelines** when serious bodily injury resulted, potentially raising to level 22-30 depending on injury severity

Simple interference—refusing crew instructions, being verbally abusive—results in offense level 9 (4-10 months at Category I). With acceptance of responsibility (−3 to level 6), defendants often receive probation.

Assault-based interference jumps to level 18 (27-33 months). If crew members sustained injuries requiring medical treatment, if weapons were involved, or if flights diverted because of defendants’ conduct, sentences approach the statutory 20-year maximum for the most egregious cases.

Civil Penalties Stack On Top

Beyond criminal prosecution, FAA imposes civil fines for unruly passenger conduct. These fines range from $10,000 to $52,500 per violation depending on severity. Passengers face both federal criminal charges under § 46504 *and* FAA civil penalties—separate proceedings with separate consequences. Someone convicted criminally and sentenced to prison also owes tens of thousands in civil fines to FAA.

Airlines maintain their own “no-fly” lists, permanently banning passengers who interfere with crew. These bans aren’t limited to the airline where incidents occurred—industry sharing agreements mean bans often extend across multiple carriers, effectively ending defendants’ ability to fly commercially.

Defending Interference Charges

Challenge whether defendants actually interfered with duties or merely exercised passenger rights. Passengers can complain about service, question crew decisions, and express dissatisfaction without violating § 46504. The statute criminalizes interference—conduct preventing crew from performing duties—not mere disagreement or complaint. If defendants voiced objections without physically obstructing crew, without refusing safety instructions, and without threatening anyone, no crime occurred.

Present evidence of crew provocation or misconduct. When flight attendants escalated conflicts unnecessarily, treated passengers disrespectfully, or exceeded their authority, defendants’ responses might have been disproportionate but understandable. Evidence of crew members’ hostile attitudes, discriminatory treatment, or failure to de-escalate situations supports arguments that prosecution is unjust.

Demonstrate mental health crisis or medical emergency. Passengers experiencing panic attacks, psychiatric episodes, adverse medication reactions, or medical emergencies sometimes behave erratically without criminal intent. Expert testimony establishing defendants were experiencing crises they couldn’t control negates the intent element § 46504 requires. While defendants may have interfered with crew objectively, the subjective intent to interfere was absent.

Contest injury severity when assault enhancements apply. If crew members claimed injuries but medical evidence shows minimal harm, challenge the +9-level assault enhancement. Bruising, minor scratches, or complaints of pain without objective injury evidence might not warrant treating conduct as assault rather than simple interference.

Negotiate resolutions emphasizing cooperation and remorse. Defendants who immediately regretted their conduct, apologized to crew, cooperated with authorities after landing, and accepted responsibility demonstrate they understand the seriousness and don’t present ongoing threats. Prosecutors might accept pleas to reduced charges (simple assault, disorderly conduct) or recommend probation when defendants show genuine remorse.

Alcohol as Aggravating and Mitigating Factor

Intoxication plays complex roles in these cases:

**As aggravation:** Voluntary intoxication doesn’t negate liability. Passengers who choose to drink excessively bear responsibility for their impaired decisions. Courts often view alcohol-fueled interference harshly because defendants created dangerous situations through choices they could have avoided.

**As mitigation:** Intoxication explains why otherwise law-abiding people acted out of character. First-time offenders with no violence history who made terrible decisions while drunk receive more lenient sentences than those who interfere while sober. Evidence of alcohol abuse problems and commitment to treatment supports probationary sentences focused on rehabilitation.

Airlines’ alcohol service policies create interesting defense arguments. When crew members continued serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated passengers, then charged those passengers with interference after they became belligerent, defense argues crew contributed to defendants’ impairment and should have exercised better judgment in service decisions. While this doesn’t negate liability, it mitigates culpability.

Why These Cases Result in Federal Prosecution

Aircraft fall under exclusive federal jurisdiction. States can’t prosecute conduct occurring in flight over their territories—§ 46504 provides the legal framework for addressing mid-flight crimes. This creates situations where conduct that would be minor state misdemeanor (disorderly conduct, simple assault) becomes federal felony with 20-year maximum when it occurs on aircraft.

Critics argue this disproportion: someone who punches a flight attendant faces 20 years federal maximum, while the same punch to a restaurant server might be 90-day state misdemeanor. But Congress determined flight safety requires severe penalties to deter interference. Aircraft environments are confined, crew authority is essential for safety, and violent passengers endanger hundreds of lives.

As a practical matter, most § 46504 prosecutions result in probation or single-digit month sentences unless serious injuries occurred. The 20-year maximum functions primarily as deterrent and provides sentencing flexibility for the most egregious conduct.

Todd Spodek built this firm defending professionals and everyday people whose worst moments—often involving alcohol, stress, or mental health crises—resulted in federal felony charges that could have ended their careers and freedom. A business traveler who had too much to drink and argued with crew faces the same statute as someone who attempts to breach a cockpit. An anxious flyer who panicked during turbulence and grabbed a flight attendant while trying to reach the bathroom faces potential federal prosecution. Our work taught us that § 46504 cases often involve people who made terrible decisions during high-stress situations, who immediately regretted their conduct, and who present zero ongoing danger once removed from aircraft environments. Defending these cases requires presenting defendants as human beings who made mistakes, not dangerous criminals, and demonstrating that conduct—while unacceptable—resulted from circumstances unlikely to recur. If you’re charged with interference with flight crew, contact us immediately. These cases often involve video evidence from aircraft cameras, witness statements from passengers and crew, and FBI interviews that occur before defendants have counsel. Early legal representation ensures your rights are protected from the investigation’s beginning. We’re available 24/7.