FAA Enforcement Actions
Violations of 14 CFR 91.11, 121.580, 135.120, 125.328, 49 USC 46318 & 46504
"Unruly Passengers"
Calendar Years 1995-present
Year |
Total |
2020 |
108 as of November 30, 2020. |
2019 |
142 |
2018 |
159 |
2017 |
91 |
2016 |
102 |
2015 |
105 |
2014 |
147 |
2013 |
149 |
2012 |
183 |
2011 |
155 |
2010 |
128 |
2009 |
139 |
2008 |
124 |
2007 |
153 |
2006 |
137 |
2005 |
205 |
2004 |
310 |
2003 |
286 |
2002 |
279 |
2001 |
305 |
2000 |
255 |
1999 |
226 |
1998 |
204 |
1997 |
237 |
1996 |
184 |
1995 |
146 |
General notes:
- Interfering with the duties of a crewmember violates federal law.
- Federal Aviation Regulations 91.11, 121.580 and 135.120 state that "no person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crewmember in the performance of the crewmember's duties aboard an aircraft being operated."
- The FAA's database contains only those incidents reported to FAA. Reporting is at the discretion of the crewmember.
- Security violations are excluded. Those cases are handled by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- Updated numbers are posted on this web page quarterly.
- The repercussions for passengers who engage in unruly behavior can be substantial. They can be fined by FAA or prosecuted on criminal charges.
- As part of the FAA's Reauthorization Bill (PDF) the FAA can propose up to $35,000 per violation for unruly passenger cases. Previously, the maximum civil penalty per violation was $25,000. One incident can result in multiple violations.