Subdivision 1. Misdemeanor. Every person who:
(1) operates an aircraft either on or over land or water in this state without the consent of the owner of such aircraft;
(2) operates aircraft while in the possession of any federal license, certificate, or permit or any certificate of registration issued by the Transportation Department of this state, or displays, or causes or permits to be displayed, such federal license, certificate, or permit or such state certificate of registration, knowing either to have been canceled, revoked, suspended, or altered;
(3) lends to, or knowingly permits the use of by, one not entitled thereto of any federal airman's or aircraft license, certificate, or permit, or any state airman's or aircraft certificate of registration issued to that person;
(4) displays or represents as the person's own any federal airman's or aircraft license, certificate, or permit or any state airman's or aircraft certificate of registration not issued to that person;
(5) tampers with, climbs upon or into, makes use of, or navigates any aircraft without the knowledge or consent of the owner or person having control thereof, whether while the same is in motion or at rest, or hurls stones or any other missiles at aircraft, or the occupants thereof, or otherwise damages or interferes with the same, or places upon any portion of any airport any object, obstruction, or other device tending to injure aircraft or parts thereof;
(6) uses a false or fictitious name, gives a false or fictitious address, knowingly makes any false statement or report, or knowingly conceals a material fact, or otherwise commits a fraud in any application or form required under the provisions of sections 360.011 to 360.076, or by any rules or orders of the commissioner;
(7) operates any aircraft in such a manner as to indicate either a willful or a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property;
(8) carries on or over land or water in this state in an aircraft other than a public aircraft any explosive substance except as permitted by the Federal Explosives Act, being the Act of October 6, 1917, as amended by Public Law 775, 77th Congress, approved November 24, 1942;
(9) discharges a gun, pistol, or other weapon in or from any aircraft in this state except as the hunting of certain wild animals from aircraft may be permitted by other laws of this state, or unless the person is the pilot or officer in command of the aircraft or a peace officer or a member of the military or naval forces of the United States, engaged in the performance of duty;
(10) carries in any aircraft, other than a public aircraft, any shotgun, rifle, pistol, or small arms ammunition except in the manner in which such articles may be lawfully carried in motor vehicles in this state, or is a person excepted from the provisions of clause (9);
(11) engages in acrobatic or stunt flying without being equipped with a parachute and without providing any other occupants of the aircraft with parachutes and requiring that they be worn;
(12) while in flying over a thickly inhabited area or over a public gathering in this state, engages in trick or acrobatic flying or in any acrobatic feat;
(13) except while in landing or taking off, flies at such low levels as to endanger persons on the surface beneath, or engages in advertising through the playing of music or transcribed or oral announcements, or makes any noise with any siren, horn, whistle, or other audible device which is not necessary for the normal operation of the aircraft, except that sound amplifying devices may be used in aircraft when operated by or under the authority of any agency of the state or federal government for the purpose of giving warning or instructions to persons on the ground;
(14) drops any object, except loose water, loose fuel, or loose sand ballast, without the prior written consent of the commissioner of transportation and the prior written consent of the municipality or property owner where objects may land; drops objects from an aircraft that endanger person or property on the ground, or drops leaflets for any purpose whatsoever; or
(15) while in flight in an aircraft, whether as a pilot, passenger, or otherwise, endangers, kills, or attempts to kill any birds or animals or uses any aircraft for the purpose of concentrating, driving, rallying, or stirring up migratory waterfowl;
except as may be permitted by other laws of this state, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Subd. 2. Gross misdemeanor. Every person who shall commit any of the acts specified in subdivision 1 for a second or other subsequent time shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
Subd. 3. [Repealed, 1963 c 753 art 2 s 17]
Subd. 4. [Repealed, 1965 c 45 s 73]
Subd. 5. Careless or reckless operation. Every person who operates an aircraft in the air or on the ground or water, in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Subd. 6. Additional penalties for certain violations. For any violation of subdivisions 1 and 5, section 360.0752, or of any rule issued pursuant to section 360.015, in addition to the penalties provided in this section or section 360.0752, or as a condition to the suspension of a sentence which may be imposed pursuant thereto, the court in its discretion may prohibit the violator from operating an aircraft within the state for such period as it may determine, but not to exceed one year. Violation of the duly imposed prohibition of the court may be punished as a contempt of court. Upon a plea of guilty or conviction under said sections, in any case involving an airman, the court shall issue an order prohibiting the airman from exercising, in the state of Minnesota, the privileges granted to the airman by federal certificate for a period, in the discretion of the court, not to exceed one year, and shall notify the commissioner of any action involving a violation under this section or section 360.0752 by mailing a report to the commissioner showing the name and address of the violator, the offense charged, the time and place of violation, the plea, the finding of the court or jury, and the penalty imposed.
Subd. 7. [Repealed, 1990 c 602 art 6 s 6]
History:1945 c 303 s 37; 1947 c 175 s 7; 1951 c 115 s 1,2; 1963 c 138 s 1; 1971 c 165 s 2; 1974 c 8 s 4; 1976 c 166 s 7; 1978 c 674 s 58; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 444; 1990 c 602 art 6 s 2,3