Claiming abandoned airplane in CO

[WDD]

Curious - what do you want with an airplane that's been sitting for 44 years? Scrap?

 

[N2580Z]

Curious - what do you want with an airplane that's been sitting for 44 years? Scrap?

I've got the resources to restore it to at least a museum state, it's more of a weekend project for me.

 

[Bell206]

I was able to track it back to the last owner who passed away in 2007, the plane has been parked since 1981, and the registration expired in 2013. Any tips or information I should know about claiming / salvaging it?

In general, you are going to have to legally demonstrate that the aircraft chain of ownership moved from the previous owner who died in 2007 to you using one of the accepted FAA methods. The link below gives some more details on those methods. Short of that no joy if you ever want to register the aircraft in your name. You can also contact the FAA Registration Branch and inquire but just be sure to use the local OK phone number and not the 1-800 number for the best service.
https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/f...rcraft_registry/register_aircraft/8050-94.pdf

 

[flyingron]

You can take it but you won't be able to register it unless you can prove ownership. With cars in most states you can do a "bonded title" which essentially says, nobody is going to complain but I'll put up some money if they do. That won't fly with the FAA. You will need a court action called a "quiet title action" to get ownership granted to you and the the FAA will accept that.

 

[172andyou]

I've got the resources to restore it to at least a museum state, it's more of a weekend project for me.

Very cool. Good luck getting things sorted out!

 

[Dana]

Hey, I know this is an old thread, I'm in AZ and am trying to do some research into claiming an aircraft at an abandoned airpark. I was able to track it back to the last owner who passed away in 2007, the plane has been parked since 1981, and the registration expired in 2013. Any tips or information I should know about claiming / salvaging it?

Any attempt to acquire the aircraft legally would have to go through the property owner. There are procedures for property owners to claim abandoned aircraft for nonpayment of rent or even to get it moved off the property. Other than that approach, you would have to contact the aircraft owner's estate.

 

[bonefishpete]

Had an old B737 on the ramp. Aircraft salvage company came in. Engines left first then they cut it up and loaded on trailers.
Very clean efficient process they used.

 

[jsstevens]

Last time I saw it, it was at SWF minus an engine. Guess they moved it.

I bet a ferry permit is hard to get missing an engine.

 

[nauga]

I bet a ferry permit is hard to get missing an engine.

But not impossible, if you have more than one.
91.611 Authorization for ferry flight with one engine inoperative.

Nauga,
who's telling you there's a chance

 

[jsstevens]

But not impossible, if you have more than one.
91.611 Authorization for ferry flight with one engine inoperative.

Nauga,
who's telling you there's a chance

I guess if you only have an SEL rating you can’t use the other anyway.

 

[Zeldman]

Curious - what do you want with an airplane that's been sitting for 44 years? Scrap?

Yard art.??

 

[Lindberg]

Hey, I know this is an old thread, I'm in AZ and am trying to do some research into claiming an aircraft at an abandoned airpark. I was able to track it back to the last owner who passed away in 2007, the plane has been parked since 1981, and the registration expired in 2013. Any tips or information I should know about claiming / salvaging it?

Your best bet might to see if the Airpark has a lien for the parking and can sell you the plane.

 

[M20K]

Okay, the first two questions that should have been asked.... 1) Where has it been "sitting" since the owners death (Tiedown, pushed off to the side, Hangar, etc.) 2) If a Hangar or Tiedown, who has been paying the fees?

If it is on an Airport where there are fees, whom ever is paying is probably the legal owner (registered or not).

If fees have NOT been paid, the Airport should be able to take legal ownership for the abandon aircraft with an outstanding debt. The process varies in different states, but the Apt's attorney should know what to do. Offer to remove the plane (or start paying the fees) if they will go through the process to claim the title and then sell it to you. You can offer them $100 and see if they'll take it. Or if you think there is any value (parts or otherwise) you can even say you'll pay for any filing fees, etc. to move the legal claiming of the plane. But the odds are they'll love to get rid of it *IF* there is no great expense to them.

 

[Roller]

Curious - what do you want with an airplane that's been sitting for 44 years? Scrap?

Fix it up and fly it?

Vastly depends on where’s tied down

Lots of mechanics get planes that have been sitting in a hangar and get them back in the air without too much work

The “sitting plane” deal is a good bit of a entrepreneurial mechanics OWT

 

[Bell206]

Lots of mechanics get planes that have been sitting in a hangar and get them back in the air without too much work

Years ago that was somewhat common, but not now for various reasons. Most now will concentrate on specific models strictly to harvest specific parts then scrap the rest. The last 2 ramp queens I bought years ago was just for the wings and tail feathers, then cored the engine to a shop, mailed the data plate to the FSDO, and dropped the rest at a salvage yard.

 

[Roller]

Years ago that was somewhat common, but not now for various reasons. Most now will concentrate on specific models strictly to harvest specific parts then scrap the rest. The last 2 ramp queens I bought years ago was just for the wings and tail feathers, then cored the engine to a shop, mailed the data plate to the FSDO, and dropped the rest at a salvage yard.

What types are you scrapping? Might be interested

 

[Bell206]

What types are you scrapping? Might be interested

Was mainly dealing with 172s but been retired for a few years. The ones I'm asked to look out for today seem to be specific serial numbered Pipers and any 100 Series Cessna on the airplane side.

 

[Roller]

Was mainly dealing with 172s but been retired for a few years. The ones I'm asked to look out for today seem to be specific serial numbered Pipers and any 100 Series Cessna on the airplane side.

Well if you’re every scrapping out a PA 1X series or tailwheel Cessna PM me

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Seems the OP disappeared

What is the law regarding abandoned PoA accounts? @Dawson Muth has been sitting unused at least a few years. I’d like to know if there is a way to claim it. The owner is likely dead, so where do I start?

 

[pfarber]

And after spending a lot of money on a complete restoration including a new panel you’d probably still end up with a plane with missing log books.

other than AD compliance (which would be the first thing you comply with during a rebuild) who cares about log books? you are going to rebuild it, bring it up to AD compliance and getting and annual. if you can't find the broken bits with all that work then a log book ain't gonna help.