Us Code § 39B - Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 39B — Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 39B. Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft

(a) Offense.—Any person who operates an unmanned aircraft and:

(1) 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).

(2) 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).


(b) Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to Airports.—

(1) In general.—Any person who, without authorization, knowingly operates an unmanned aircraft within a runway exclusion zone shall be punished as provided in subsection (c).

(2) Runway exclusion zone defined.—In this subsection, the term "runway exclusion zone" means a rectangular area—

(A) 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

(B) 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.


(c) Penalty.—

(1) In general.—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.

(2) Serious bodily injury or death.—Any person who:

(A) 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.

(B) 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.

(Added Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title III, §384(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3322.)

1 So in original. Probably should be "subsection".

About This Section

18 U.S.C. § 39B is part of Title 18 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 18 U.S.C. § 39B. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 39B

What does United States Code § 39B cover?

Section 39B ("Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 39B?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 39B" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 39B apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.