republic-os/legal/us/code/title-49/chapter-463/section-46304.md

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LegalText	49 U.S.C. § 46304	Liens on aircraft	us	united_states_code	code_section	49	TRANSPORTATION	463	PENALTIES	46304	49 U.S.C. § 46304	current	119-100	2026-06-26	official	https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc49@119-100.zip	/us/usc/t49/s46304	data/legal/raw/us/code/title-49/usc49.xml	e2146b53ae7b16dec3bc1ea833e3bf09291a67f95364efd9a5d568fe89bd1d70	0786acdd244d8f42c5a8e8ed1ec2a8dcb47dd0e02a286752710a20745702a4fb	45582a69524dbf1c676c6cf73d8b9b4271ab29a97edf79eaaf76172436d79151	2026-07-04	official	legal us-code

49 U.S.C. § 46304 - Liens on aircraft

Text

(a) Aircraft Subject to Liens.— When an aircraft is involved in a violation referred to in section 46301(a)(1)(A)–(C) of this title and the violation is by the owner of, or individual commanding, the aircraft, the aircraft is subject to a lien for the civil penalty.

(b) Seizure.— An aircraft subject to a lien under this section may be seized summarily and placed in the custody of a person authorized to take custody of it under regulations of the Secretary of Transportation (or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to aviation safety duties and powers designated to be carried out by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration). A report on the seizure shall be submitted to the Attorney General. The Attorney General promptly shall bring a civil action in rem to enforce the lien or notify the Secretary or Administrator that the action will not be brought.

(c) Release.— An aircraft seized under subsection (b) of this section shall be released from custody when—

(1) the civil penalty is paid;

(2) a compromise amount agreed on is paid;

(3) the aircraft is seized under a civil action in rem to enforce the lien;

(4) the Attorney General gives notice that a civil action will not be brought under subsection (b) of this section; or

(5) a bond (in an amount and with a surety the Secretary or Administrator prescribes), conditioned on payment of the penalty or compromise, is deposited with the Secretary or Administrator.

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1235; Pub. L. 108–176, title V, § 503(d)(2), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2559; Pub. L. 115–254, div. K, title I, § 1991(g)(2), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3644.)

Notes

Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 46304(a)49 App.:1471(b).Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §§ 901(b), 903(b)(2), (3), 72 Stat. 784, 786. 46304(b)49 App.:1473(b)(2).  49 App.:1551(b)(1)(E).Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, 72 Stat. 731, § 1601(b)(1)(E); added Oct. 4, 1984, Pub. L. 98–443, § 3(e), 98 Stat. 1704.  49 App.:1655(c)(1).Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, § 6(c)(1), 80 Stat. 938; Jan. 12, 1983, Pub. L. 97–449, § 7(b), 96 Stat. 2444. 46304(c)49 App.:1473(b)(3).  49 App.:1551(b)(1)(E).  49 App.:1655(c)(1). In this section, the word “civil” is added before “penalty” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In subsections (b) and (c), the word “Administrator” in section 902(b)(2) and (3) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Public Law 85–726, 72 Stat. 786) is retained on authority of 49:106(g). The words “Attorney General” are substituted for “United States attorney for the judicial district in which the seizure is made” and “United States attorney” because of 28:503 and 509. In subsection (b), the words “report on the seizure” are substituted for “report of the cause” for clarity. The words “bring a civil action in rem” are substituted for “institute proceedings” for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). The words “that the action will not be brought” are substituted for “of his failure to so act” for clarity. In subsection (c)(3), the words “under a civil action in rem” are substituted for “in pursuance of process of any court in proceedings in rem” to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency.

Editorial Notes

Amendments2018—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–254 substituted “or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to aviation safety duties and powers designated to be carried out by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration” for “or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to aviation safety duties and powers designated to be carried out by the Administrator”. 2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–176 struck out “, (2), or (3)” after “section 46301(a)(1)(A)–(C)”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2003 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 108–176 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 2003, except as otherwise specifically provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–176, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.