Emergency exits for airplanes carrying passengers for hire

This regulation governs emergency exit requirements for older large airplanes (type certificated before April 9, 1957) operating passenger flights for hire. These aircraft must comply with historical occupant limits based on their approved exits, but operators can increase passenger capacity by adding qualifying emergency exits.

Additional occupants are permitted based on exit type: 12 more for each floor-level exit meeting specific size requirements, 8 more for over-wing window exits, and 5 more for other qualifying window exits. Aircraft with unfavorable occupant-to-exit ratios or lacking rear fuselage exits face additional requirements, and no airplane may carry more than 115 occupants without rear exits on both sides.

If removing exits, operators must reduce maximum occupancy accordingly and follow a specific priority order. At least one exit must remain on each side, and the occupant-to-exit ratio cannot exceed 14:1. Part 121 operators must still comply with their own separate exit requirements.

*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.*