Dangerous Goods — NCO.GEN.140
Dangerous goods (DG) are substances and articles that, when carried by air, can pose a hazard to safety, health, property, or environment.
Sources: NCO.GEN.140 Carriage of dangerous goods; ICAO Annex 18 The Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air; ICAO Doc 9284 Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (2025-2026 edition).
NCO.GEN.140 — Basic rule
Generally prohibited: carriage of DG in aircraft except:
- for the personal use of pilot or passenger (e.g. spray, matchbox — see consumer-goods exceptions).
- with authorisation of the competent authority per ICAO Doc 9284.
For PPL operations: no commercial DG carriage. Private carriage only in allowed consumer-goods quantities.
The 9 Dangerous Goods classes (ICAO/IATA)
| Class | Designation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition, cartridges |
| 2 | Gases | Oxygen bottles (allowed for aviation use with permit), propane |
| 3 | Flammable liquids | Petrol, alcohol > 70 %, solvents |
| 4 | Flammable solids | Matches, phosphorus |
| 5 | Oxidising substances | Hydrogen peroxide, bleach |
| 6 | Toxic substances | Pesticides, mercury |
| 7 | Radioactive material | Medical isotopes, uranium |
| 8 | Corrosives | Battery acid, alkali |
| 9 | Miscellaneous (incl. lithium batteries, magnets, dry ice) | Lithium batteries > 100 Wh, dry ice > 2 kg |
Common PPL practical cases
Lithium batteries (Class 9)
ICAO/IATA rules (status 2025):
- Lithium-ion battery ≤ 100 Wh: allowed in carry-on (smartphone, tablet, laptop). Devices can be in hand baggage or cabin.
- Lithium-ion battery 100–160 Wh: only with airline permit, max 2 units. Rarely relevant in GA.
- Lithium-ion battery > 160 Wh: PROHIBITED in passenger transport (e.g. large power tool batteries).
- Terminal protection: tape over terminals recommended, prevent short circuit.
- Damaged batteries (swollen, damaged): PROHIBITED.
Spray cans / aerosols
- Allowed: toilet sprays, deodorant in small quantities (< 0.5 L per item, max 2 L per person).
- PROHIBITED: flammable sprays (paint, insect spray, sunscreen spray) without permit.
Oxygen (medical)
- POB (patient on board) oxygen: only with airline permit and properly certified bottles.
- PPL pilot can have own cockpit O₂ installation — that is aircraft equipment, not DG transport.
Sport ammunition
- Limited quantity of ammunition for hunting or sport: typically < 5 kg per person, without safety-critical elements (detonators).
- Pre-notification of the airfield.
Dry ice (Class 9)
- Allowed in limited quantity (< 2.5 kg) for medical/food preservation, with labelling.
Prohibited items in general aviation
- Explosives of any kind (except with explicit permit).
- Pressurised gas cylinders > 50 L (except aircraft equipment).
- Pure fuel containers (except in aircraft tank).
- Acutely toxic substances.
On-board emergency handling
- Fire: see lesson "Cabin Fire / Smoke".
- Spilled fuel/chemical: Mayday, ventilation, forced landing.
- Lithium battery fire: flood with water (specific method for Li-batteries); CO₂/halon not effective alone.
Pilot duties
- Brief passengers before each flight on DG restrictions (NCO.OP.135).
- Visual baggage check if possible.
- Refuse carriage on suspicion.
- Report to authority if unknown DG were carried (NCO.GEN.140 (c)).