Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Civil Aviation Act 1990

Unruly passenger offences - Unruly passenger offences

65H: Interference with aircraft

You could also call this:

“It's against the law to mess with or damage planes or their parts”

If you tamper with or interfere with an aircraft, any part of an aircraft, or its equipment, you are breaking the law. This includes messing with things like smoke detectors on the plane. If you do this, you have committed an offence.

If you are found guilty of tampering with or interfering with an aircraft, you could be fined. The most you can be fined for this offence is $10,000.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM217121.

Topics:
Transport and travel > Air travel Crime and justice > Criminal law
Previous

65G: Disruptive conduct towards crew member, or

"No bad behaviour or words towards airplane crew"

Next

65I: Intoxicated persons on aircraft, or

"Don't be drunk or high on planes: it's against the law"

Part 5A Unruly passenger offences
Unruly passenger offences

65HInterference with aircraft

  1. Every person commits an offence who tampers or interferes with any aircraft, any component of an aircraft, or its equipment, including, but not limited to, smoke detectors.

  2. Every person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Notes
  • Section 65H: inserted, on , by section 28 of the Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 8).
  • Section 65H(2): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).