Section 85 Civil Aviation Act 2022

Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act 2022 is about Interference with crew members. It is under Part XII (Civil and Criminal Penalties) of the Act.

(1) Whoever while onboard an aircraft, interferes with a crew member and such interference impedes the performance of the crew member’s duties, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not more than N200,000 or imprisonment for a term of at least two months or both.

(2) Any person who, assaults, intimidates, or threatens any flight crew member or flight attendant, including any steward or stewardess of such aircraft or engages in an unruly behavior onboard such aircraft, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of at least N200,000 or imprisonment for a term of at least two months or both.

(3) Any person who, against instruction of the pilot-in-command or a flight crew member or cabin crew, uses or operates any equipment or device including mobile phone that may interfere with the aircraft radio frequency or
other navigational equipment onboard aircraft commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not more than N200,000 or imprisonment for a term of at least two months or both.

(4) The pilot-in-command of an aircraft shall take such reasonable measures as may be necessary to ensure the safety of the aircraft and security of passengers on board whenever he is faced with an unruly passenger behavior and may request the assistance of any person on board the aircraft in that regard.