Manned Aircraft Clarification Act

The Manned Aircraft Clarification Act would narrow federal criminal penalties for destruction of aircraft to apply only to manned aircraft and related facilities. Specifically, it would amend 18 U.S.C. §32 to refer to “manned aircraft or aircraft facilities,” and would adjust the 18 U.S.C. penalties to target destruction involving manned aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction and civil contexts. It also amends 49 U.S.C. §46502(a)(1)(A) to specify that aircraft piracy applies to “a manned aircraft” rather than to any aircraft. In short, the bill preserves penalties for destroying manned aircraft and their facilities but removes those penalties from unmanned aircraft (drones).