# 14 CFR § 91.3: Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.3

## Section

- **Citation:** 14 CFR § 91.3
- **Heading:** Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 14—Aeronautics and Space > CHAPTER I—FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION > SUBCHAPTER F—AIR TRAFFIC AND GENERAL OPERATING RULES > PART 91—GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES > Subpart A—General

## Text

(a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
(b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.
(c) Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section shall, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the Administrator.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2120-0005)

## Nearby sections

- [14 CFR § 91.1 § 91.1 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.1.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.3 § 91.3 Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.3.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.5 § 91.5 Pilot in command of aircraft requiring more than one required pilot.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.5.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.7 § 91.7 Civil aircraft airworthiness.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.7.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.9 § 91.9 Civil aircraft flight manual, marking, and placard requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.9.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.11 § 91.11 Prohibition on interference with crewmembers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.11.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.13 § 91.13 Careless or reckless operation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.13.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.15 § 91.15 Dropping objects.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.15.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.17 § 91.17 Alcohol or drugs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.17.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.19 § 91.19 Carriage of narcotic drugs, marihuana, and depressant or stimulant drugs or substances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.19.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.21 § 91.21 Portable electronic devices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.21.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.23 § 91.23 Truth-in-leasing clause requirement in leases and conditional sales contracts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.23.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.25 § 91.25 Aviation Safety Reporting Program: Prohibition against use of reports for enforcement purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.25.md)
- [14 CFR § 91.203 § 91.203 Civil aircraft: Certifications required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.203.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-14-91.3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.