Carriage of cargo

This regulation establishes how cargo must be carried in aircraft. The pilot in command must ensure cargo is either placed in an approved cargo rack/bin/compartment, secured by Administrator-approved means, or meets five specific conditions: it must be tied down securely enough to prevent shifting during normal flight and ground operations; packaged to avoid injuring passengers; positioned so it doesn't exceed floor or seat load limits; kept away from emergency exits, regular exits, and aisles between crew and passengers; and never placed directly above seated passengers.

Additionally, if cargo is carried in compartments requiring a crewmember to physically enter to fight a fire, it must be loaded to allow that crewmember to reach all areas with a hand fire extinguisher. These requirements prevent cargo from becoming a hazard during flight—whether by shifting and affecting aircraft balance, blocking emergency egress, injuring occupants, or hindering firefighting efforts.

*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.*