Collapse to view only § 175.78 - Stowage compatibility of cargo.

§ 175.75 - Quantity limitations and cargo location.

(a) No person may carry on an aircraft a hazardous material except as permitted by this subchapter.

(b) Hazardous materials stowage. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, no person may carry a hazardous material in the cabin of a passenger-carrying aircraft or on the flight deck of any aircraft, and the hazardous material must be located in a place that is inaccessible to persons other than crew members.

(2) Hazardous materials may be carried in a main deck cargo compartment of a passenger aircraft provided that the compartment is inaccessible to passengers and that it meets all certification requirements for: a Class B aircraft cargo compartment in 14 CFR 25.857(b); or a Class C aircraft cargo compartment in 14 CFR 25.857(c).

(3) A package bearing a “KEEP AWAY FROM HEAT” handling marking must be protected from direct sunshine and stored in a cool and ventilated place, away from sources of heat.

(4) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a package containing a hazardous material acceptable for cargo-only aircraft must be loaded in an accessible manner.

(c) For each package containing a hazardous material acceptable for carriage aboard passenger-carrying aircraft, no more than 25 kg (55 pounds) net weight of hazardous material may be loaded in an inaccessible manner. In addition to the 25 kg limitation, an additional 75 kg (165 pounds) net weight of Division 2.2 (non-flammable compressed gas) may be loaded in an inaccessible manner. The requirements of this paragraph (c) do not apply to Class 9, articles of Identification Numbers UN0012, UN0014, or UN0055 also meeting the requirements of § 173.63(b) of this subchapter, articles of Identification Numbers UN3528 or UN3529, and Limited or Excepted Quantity material.

(d) For the purposes of this section—

(1) Accessible means, on passenger-carrying or cargo-only aircraft that each package is loaded where a crew member or other authorized person can access, handle, and, when size and weight permit, separate such packages from other cargo during flight, including a freight container in an accessible cargo compartment when packages are loaded in an accessible manner. Additionally, a package is considered accessible when transported on a cargo-only aircraft if it is:

(i) In a cargo compartment certified by FAA as a Class C aircraft cargo compartment as defined in 14 CFR 25.857(c); or

(ii) In an FAA-certified freight container that has an approved fire or smoke detection system and fire suppression system equivalent to that required by the certification requirements for a Class C aircraft cargo compartment.

(2) Inaccessible means all other configurations to include packages loaded where a crew member or other authorized person cannot access, handle, and, when size and weight permit, separate such packages from other cargo during flight, including a freight container in an accessible cargo compartment when packages are loaded in an inaccessible manner.

(e) For transport aboard cargo-only aircraft, the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section do not apply to the following hazardous materials:

(1) Class 3, PG III (unless the substance is also labeled CORROSIVE), Class 6.1 (unless the substance is also labeled for any hazard class or division except FLAMMABLE LIQUID), Division 6.2, Class 7 (unless the hazardous material meets the definition of another hazard class), Class 9, articles of Identification Numbers UN0012, UN0014, or UN0055 also meeting the requirements of § 173.63(b) of this subchapter, articles of Identification Numbers UN3528 or UN3529, and those marked as a Limited Quantity or Excepted Quantity material.

(2) Packages of hazardous materials transported aboard a cargo aircraft, when other means of transportation are impracticable or not available, in accordance with procedures approved in writing by the FAA Regional Office in the region where the operator is certificated.

(3) Packages of hazardous materials carried on small, single pilot, cargo aircraft if:

(i) No person is carried on the aircraft other than the pilot, an FAA Flight Standards inspector, the shipper or consignee of the material, a representative of the shipper or consignee so designated in writing, or a person necessary for handling the material;

(ii) The pilot is provided with written instructions on the characteristics and proper handling of the materials; and

(iii) Whenever a change of pilots occurs while the material is on board, the new pilot is briefed under a hand-to-hand signature service provided by the operator of the aircraft.

(f) At a minimum, quantity limits and loading instructions in the following quantity and loading table must be followed to maintain acceptable quantity and loading between packages containing hazardous materials. The quantity and loading table is as follows:

Quantity and Loading Table

Applicability Forbidden Quantity Limitation: 25 kg net weight of hazardous material plus 75 kg net weight of Division 2.2 (non-flammable compressed gas) per cargo compartment No limit Passenger-carrying aircraftCargo Aircraft Only labeled packagesInaccessibleAccessible. Cargo-only aircraft—
Packages authorized aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft
Not applicableInaccessible (Note 1)Accessible (Note 2). Cargo-only aircraft—
Packages not authorized aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft and displaying a Cargo Aircraft Only label
Inaccessible (Note 1)Not applicableAccessible (Note 2).

Note 1 to § 175.75(f):

The following materials are not subject to this loading restriction—

a. Class 3, PG III (unless the substance is also labeled CORROSIVE).

b. Division 6.1 (unless the substance is also labeled for any hazard class or division except FLAMMABLE LIQUID).

c. Division 6.2.

d. Class 7 (unless the hazardous material meets the definition of another hazard class).

e. Class 9, Limited Quantity, or Excepted Quantity material.

f. Articles of Identification Numbers UN0012, UN0014, or UN0055 also meeting the requirements of § 173.63(b).

g. Articles of Identification Numbers UN3528 or UN3529.

Note 2 to § 175.75(f):

Aboard cargo-only aircraft, packages required to be loaded in a position that is considered to be accessible include those loaded in a Class C cargo compartment.

[76 FR 82178, Dec. 30, 2011, as amended at 78 FR 65486, Oct. 31, 2013; 81 FR 35544, June 2, 2016; 82 FR 15892, Mar. 30, 2017; 85 FR 83402, Dec. 21, 2020; 87 FR 44998, July 26, 2022]

§ 175.78 - Stowage compatibility of cargo.

(a) For stowage on an aircraft, in a cargo facility, or in any other area at an airport designated for the stowage of hazardous materials, packages containing hazardous materials which might react dangerously with one another may not be placed next to each other or in a position that would allow a dangerous interaction in the event of leakage.

(b)(1) At a minimum, the segregation instructions prescribed in the following Segregation Table must be followed to maintain acceptable segregation between packages containing hazardous materials with different hazards. The Segregation Table instructions apply whether or not the class or division is the primary or subsidiary risk.

(2) Packages and overpacks containing articles of Identification Numbers UN3090 and UN3480 prepared in accordance with § 173.185(b)(3) and (c)(4)(vi) must not be stowed on an aircraft next to, in contact with, or in a position that would allow interaction with packages or overpacks containing hazardous materials that bear a Class 1 (other than Division 1.4S), Division 2.1, Class 3, Division 4.1, or Division 5.1 hazard label. To maintain acceptable segregation between packages and overpacks, the segregation requirements shown in the Segregation Table must be followed. The segregation requirements apply based on all hazard labels applied to the package or overpack, irrespective of whether the hazard is the primary or subsidiary hazard.

Table to Paragraph (b): Segregation Table

Hazard label Class or division 1 2.1 2.2, 2.3 3 4.1 4.2 4.3 5.1 5.2 8 9
see (b)(2)
1Note 1Note 2Note 2Note 2Note 2Note 2Note 2Note 2Note 2Note 2Note 2 2.1Note 2X 2.2, 2.3Note 23Note 2X (Note 3)X 4.1Note 2X 4.2Note 2X4.3Note 2X5.1Note 2X (Note 3)XX 5.2Note 28Note 2X9 see (b)(2)Note 2XXXX

(c) Instructions for using the Segregation Table are as follows:

(1) Hazard labels, classes or divisions not shown in the table are not subject to segregation requirements.

(2) Dots at the intersection of a row and column indicate that no restrictions apply.

(3) The letter “X” at the intersection of a row and column indicates that packages containing these classes of hazardous materials may not be stowed next to or in contact with each other, or in a position which would allow interaction in the event of leakage of the contents.

(4) Note 1. “Note 1” at the intersection of a row and column means the following:

(i) Only Division 1.4, Compatibility Group S, explosives are permitted to be transported aboard a passenger aircraft. Only certain Division 1.3, Compatibility Groups C and G, and Division 1.4, Compatibility Groups B, C, D, E, G and S, explosives may be transported aboard a cargo aircraft.

(ii) Division 1.4 explosives in Compatibility Group S may be stowed with Division 1.3 and 1.4 explosives in compatibility groups as permitted aboard aircraft under paragraph (c)(4)(i) above.

(iii) Except for Division 1.4B explosives and as otherwise provided in this Note, explosives of different compatibility groups may be stowed together whether or not they belong to the same division. Division 1.4B explosives must not be stowed together with any other explosive permitted aboard aircraft except Division 1.4S, unless segregated as prescribed in paragraph (c)(4)(iv) of this section (“Note 1”).

(iv) Division 1.4B and Division 1.3 explosives may not be stowed together. Division 1.4B explosives must be loaded into separate unit load devices and, when stowed aboard the aircraft, the unit load devices must be separated by other cargo with a minimum separation of 2 m (6.5 feet). When not loaded in unit load devices, Division 1.4B and Division 1.3 explosives must be loaded into different, non-adjacent loading positions and separated by other cargo with a minimum separation of 2 m (6.5 feet).

(5) Note 2. “Note 2” at the intersection of a row and column means that other than explosives of Division 1.4, Compatibility Group S, explosives may not be stowed together with that class.

(6) Packages containing hazardous materials with multiple hazards in the class or divisions, which require segregation in accordance with the Segregation Table, need not be segregated from other packages bearing the same UN number.

(7) A package labeled “BLASTING AGENT” may not be stowed next to or in a position that will allow contact with a package of special fireworks or railway torpedoes.

(8) Note 3. “Note 3” at the intersection of a row and column means that UN 3528, Engines, internal combustion, flammable liquid powered; Engines, fuel cell, flammable liquid powered; Machinery internal combustion, flammable liquid powered; and Machinery, fuel cell, flammable liquid powered need not be segregated from packages containing dangerous goods in Division 5.1.

[71 FR 14604, Mar. 22, 2006, as amended at 71 FR 54396, Sept. 14, 2006; 71 FR 78634, Dec. 29, 2006; 76 FR 3384, Jan. 19, 2011; 85 FR 27899, May 11, 2020]

§ 175.88 - Inspection, orientation and securing packages of hazardous materials.

(a) A unit load device may not be loaded on an aircraft unless the device has been inspected and found to be free from any evidence of leakage from, or damage to, any package containing hazardous materials.

(b) A package containing hazardous materials marked “THIS SIDE UP” or “THIS END UP”, or with arrows to indicate the proper orientation of the package, must be stored and loaded aboard an aircraft in accordance with such markings. A package without orientation markings containing liquid hazardous materials must be stored and loaded with top closure facing upward.

(c) Packages containing hazardous materials must be:

(1) Secured in an aircraft in a manner that will prevent any shifting or change in the orientation of the packages;

(2) Protected from being damaged, including by the shifting of baggage, mail, stores, or other cargo;

(3) Loaded so that accidental damage is not caused through dragging or mishandling; and

(4) When containing Class 7 (radioactive) materials, secured in a manner that ensures that the separation requirements of §§ 175.701 and 175.702 will be maintained at all times during flight.

[71 FR 14604, Mar. 22, 2006, as amended at 83 FR 52900, Oct. 18, 2018]

§ 175.90 - Damaged shipments.

(a) Packages or overpacks containing hazardous materials must be inspected for damage or leakage after being unloaded from an aircraft. When packages or overpacks containing hazardous materials have been transported in a unit load device, the area where the unit load device was stowed must be inspected for evidence of leakage or contamination immediately upon removal of the unit load device from the aircraft, and the packages or overpacks must be inspected for evidence of damage or leakage when the unit load device is unloaded. In the event of leakage or suspected leakage, the compartment in which the package, overpack, or unit load device was carried must be inspected for contamination and decontaminated, if applicable.

(b) Except as provided in § 175.700, the operator of an aircraft must remove from the aircraft any package, baggage or cargo that appears to be leaking or contaminated by a hazardous material. In the case of a package, baggage or cargo that appears to be leaking, the operator must ensure that other packages, baggage or cargo in the same shipment are in proper condition for transport aboard the aircraft and that no other package, baggage or cargo has been contaminated or is leaking. If an operator becomes aware that a package, baggage or cargo not identified as containing a hazardous material has been contaminated, or the operator has cause to believe that a hazardous material may be the cause of the contamination, the operator must take reasonable steps to identify the nature and source of contamination before proceeding with the loading of the contaminated baggage or cargo. If the contaminating substance is found or suspected to be hazardous material, the operator must isolate the package, baggage or cargo and take appropriate steps to eliminate any identified hazard before continuing the transportation of the item by aircraft.

(c) No person may place aboard an aircraft a package, baggage or cargo that is contaminated with a hazardous material or appears to be leaking.

(d) If a package containing a material in Division 6.2 (infectious substance) is found to be damaged or leaking, the person finding the package must:

(1) Avoid handling the package or keep handling to a minimum;

(2) Inspect packages adjacent to the leaking package for contamination and withhold from further transportation any contaminated packages until it is ascertained that they can be safely transported;

(3) Comply with the reporting requirement of §§ 171.15 and 175.31 of this subchapter; and

(4) Notify the consignor or consignee.