The Air Navigation Order 2009

Marking of break-in areas

119.—(1) This article applies to all aircraft registered in the United Kingdom.

(2) An operator must ensure that, if areas of the fuselage suitable for break-in by rescue crews in emergency are marked on an aircraft, such areas are marked in accordance with this article.

(3) The markings on the exterior surface of the fuselage must show the areas (in this article referred to as ‘break-in areas’) which can, for the purposes of rescue in an emergency, be most readily and effectively broken into by persons outside the aircraft.

(4) The break-in areas must be marked by right angled corner markings, each arm of which must be nine centimetres in length along its outer edge and three centimetres in width.

(5) If the corner markings of the break-in area are more than two metres apart, intermediate lines nine centimetres by three centimetres must be inserted so that there is no more than two metres between adjacent marks.

(6) The colour of break-in markings must be red or yellow, and if necessary they must be outlined in white to contrast with the background.

(7) If instructions are marked on the break-in areas, the words ‘Cut Here in Emergency’ must be marked across the centre of each break-in area in capital letters.

(8) The markings required by this article must be—

(a) painted, or affixed by other equally permanent means; and

(b) kept clean and unobscured at all times.