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  5. § 91.509
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14 CFR · Part 91

14 CFR § 91.509

Survival equipment for overwater operations.

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Read in Subpart F
Part 91 Contents
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 50-2: Special Flight Rules in the Vicinity of the Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 60: Air Traffic Control System Emergency Operation
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97: Special Operating Rules for the Conduct of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Area Navigation (RNAV) Operations using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in Alaska
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 104: Prohibition Against Certain Flights by Syrian Air Carriers to the United States
  • Subpart A: General
  • Subpart B: Flight Rules
  • Subpart C: Equipment, Instrument, and Certificate Requirements
  • Subpart D: Special Flight Operations
  • Subpart E: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations
  • Subpart F: Large and Turbine-Powered Multiengine Airplanes and Fractional Ownership Program Aircraft
  • Subpart G: Additional Equipment and Operating Requirements for Large and Transport Category Aircraft
  • Subpart H: Foreign Aircraft Operations and Operations of U.S.-Registered Civil Aircraft Outside of the United States; and Rules Governing Persons on Board Such Aircraft
  • Subpart I: Operating Noise Limits
  • Subpart J: Waivers
  • Subpart K: Fractional Ownership Operations
  • Subpart L: Continued Airworthiness and Safety Improvements
  • Subpart M: Special Federal Aviation Regulations
  • Subpart N: Mitsubishi MU-2B Series Special Training, Experience, and Operating Requirements
  • Appendix A to Part 91: Category II Operations: Manual, Instruments, Equipment, and Maintenance
  • Appendix D to Part 91: Airports/Locations: Special Operating Restrictions
  • Appendix E to Part 91: Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix F to Part 91: Helicopter Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix G to Part 91: Operations in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Airspace
(a)

No person may take off an airplane for a flight over water more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest shore unless that airplane is equipped with a life preserver or an approved flotation means for each occupant of the airplane.

(b)

Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no person may take off an airplane for flight over water more than 30 minutes flying time or 100 nautical miles from the nearest shore, whichever is less, unless it has on board the following survival equipment:

(1)

A life preserver, equipped with an approved survivor locator light, for each occupant of the airplane.

(2)

Enough liferafts (each equipped with an approved survival locator light) of a rated capacity and buoyancy to accommodate the occupants of the airplane.

(3)

At least one pyrotechnic signaling device for each liferaft.

(4)

One self-buoyant, water-resistant, portable emergency radio signaling device that is capable of transmission on the appropriate emergency frequency or frequencies and not dependent upon the airplane power supply.

(5)

A lifeline stored in accordance with § 25.1411(g) of this chapter.

(c)

A fractional ownership program manager under subpart K of this part may apply for a deviation from paragraphs (b)(2) through (5) of this section for a particular over water operation or the Administrator may amend the management specifications to require the carriage of all or any specific items of the equipment listed in paragraphs (b)(2) through (5) of this section.

(d)

The required life rafts, life preservers, and signaling devices must be installed in conspicuously marked locations and easily accessible in the event of a ditching without appreciable time for preparatory procedures.

(e)

A survival kit, appropriately equipped for the route to be flown, must be attached to each required life raft.

(f)

As used in this section, the term shore means that area of the land adjacent to the water that is above the high water mark and excludes land areas that are intermittently under water.

Referenced By

Interpretations of This Section (3)

  • Harris (AVP-100), 2011
  • Roberts (AutomotiveAirCharter), 2008
  • Willkie (Department of Commerce), 1990

Documents that cite this section, found in their catalog metadata or text. Listed by date, not by significance.

Regulations Referenced

14 CFR 25.1411

Reflects the eCFR edition current as of July 6, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.

Primary Source

  • Official Source (14 CFR · Part 91)