# Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-109: Airport and aircraft security > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-109 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-109 - **Heading:** Airport and aircraft security - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 39 / Chapter 17 / Section 39-17-109 ## Text (a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Air operations area" means a portion of an airport designed and used for the landing, taking off, or surface maneuvering of airplanes; and (2) "Sterile area" means an area to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property in accordance with an approved security program. (b) It is an offense for a person to knowingly trespass or unlawfully enter upon an aircraft, air carrier, foreign air carrier or air operations area or sterile area of an airport serving the general public, if the trespass or entry is in violation of or contrary to security requirements established by federal regulation. (c) A violation of subsection (b) is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) If any person violates subsection (b) with the intent to commit an act in the aircraft, air carrier, foreign air carrier or air operations area or sterile area that is punishable as a felony under federal or state law, and the person is convicted of the felony, a violation of subsection (b) is a Class E felony. (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting prosecution and conviction under any other criminal statute. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 2007, ch. 509, § 1. (a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Air operations area" means a portion of an airport designed and used for the landing, taking off, or surface maneuvering of airplanes; and (2) "Sterile area" means an area to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property in accordance with an approved security program. (1) "Air operations area" means a portion of an airport designed and used for the landing, taking off, or surface maneuvering of airplanes; and (2) "Sterile area" means an area to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property in accordance with an approved security program. (b) It is an offense for a person to knowingly trespass or unlawfully enter upon an aircraft, air carrier, foreign air carrier or air operations area or sterile area of an airport serving the general public, if the trespass or entry is in violation of or contrary to security requirements established by federal regulation. (c) A violation of subsection (b) is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) If any person violates subsection (b) with the intent to commit an act in the aircraft, air carrier, foreign air carrier or air operations area or sterile area that is punishable as a felony under federal or state law, and the person is convicted of the felony, a violation of subsection (b) is a Class E felony. (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting prosecution and conviction under any other criminal statute. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 2007, ch. 509, § 1. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-101 Handling snakes so as to endanger life prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-102 Unlawful disposal of raw sewage - Continued violation - Enforcement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-102.md) - [Tenn. 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Code Ann. § 39-17-114 Transportation of illegal aliens](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-114.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-109. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.