Carriage of cargo in cargo compartments

This regulation addresses cargo loading in compartments that aren't equipped with built-in fire suppression systems—meaning a crewmember would need to physically enter the space to fight a fire with a handheld extinguisher.

The key requirement is straightforward: cargo must be arranged so a crewmember can actually reach all areas of the compartment with a hand-held fire extinguisher. You can't stack or pack cargo so tightly that it blocks access to portions of the space.

This matters because if a fire breaks out in flight, the crew needs to be able to get to it quickly and effectively. If cargo is packed wall-to-wall with no access paths, even a small fire could become catastrophic before anyone could reach it. The regulation ensures that the theoretical ability to enter a cargo compartment translates into practical firefighting capability when seconds count.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*