Federal Aviation Regulations
14 CFR § 91.13 — Careless or reckless operation
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 annual edition. U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105).
The regulation, in full
Sec. 91.13 Careless or reckless operation.
(a) Aircraft operations for the purpose of air navigation. No person
may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to
endanger the life or property of another.
(b) Aircraft operations other than for the purpose of air
navigation. No person may operate an aircraft, other than for the
purpose of air navigation, on any part of the surface of an airport used
by aircraft for air commerce (including areas used by those aircraft for
receiving or discharging persons or cargo), in a careless or reckless
manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.What this means for the knowledge test
Our own study notes for this section — reviewed through our AI instructional-review system, not by a certificated flight instructor. Not an authoritative source.
No person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another. This broad rule is frequently cited when an operation creates unnecessary risk, even if no specific numerical limit was broken.
14 CFR 91.13
Lessons that cover § 91.13
Practice questions on § 91.13 (1)
What does 14 CFR 91.13 prohibit?
Answer Operating an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger others
91.13 prohibits operating an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another, and can apply even without breaking a specific numeric limit.