FBO will not give me my plane back

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MooneyGuy35

Filing Flight Plan
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MooneyGuy35
Hello everyone!

I recently took my plane and parked it at an FBO. It has been there for about two weeks. When I left it there, I left my name, number, and email. I also bought fuel. I was told that there were no ramp fees or parking fees. I was told this by their management.

Now I come back as planned, and they put my plane in the back of one of their hangars and will not let me see it nor take it without paying $75 / day. They want me to pay about $1,200 to take my plane back.

Any idea on what I can do about this? Is this even legal? I never signed anything.
 
What was the agreed upon fee per day? What arrangements do you have in writing? What are the published fees? Sucks- hope you find an affordable and fair resolution.
 
did you ask to have your plane hangared or just tied down? dud you tell them you'd be away for 2-weeks?
 
Usually buying fuel will cover one night's tie-down.
 
We are not getting the whole story here so hard to speculate. Well, actually easy to speculate, just probably not very accurately.
 
Depends on the state.

I’d image they can try to sue you, but I don’t think they get to steal your plane.
 
Would like to get both sides of the story. I’m Sure the fees are continuing during the disagreement. You might want to pay now ,sue after you have possession of your aircraft.
 
I don't see why they would need to allow him access if he has unpaid storage charges at their published rate.
 
alfadog said:
Usually buying fuel will cover one night's tie-down.
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:yeahthat:

Anybody here routinely leave their plane on an FBO ramp for two weeks and expect the gas fill to cover the parking?

Unless this is an airstrip in the middle of a cornfield near Podunk, Iowa, it sounds like there's been a major misunderstanding. Your best bet was to try to get it resolved amicably up front. A parking invoice is not worth getting lawyers involved in.

As for signing anything, I can't recall ever signing anything in advance but the credit card authorization for the fuel top up any time I've left my plane parked at an FBO. Sounds like some folks on this thread are advocating FBOs make all of us sign parking contracts? Can't hardly wait for the fine print on those. LOL.
 
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Oh, one thing I forgot to mention, they changed management / ownership (idk what’s going on) like two days ago. The guy backcharged me because they changed the policy.
 
It’s not the FSDO’s issue to deal with. I doubt the FAA ADO would get involved either. If you’re going to escalate, the airport manager would be next. As for advice, you’d best contact a lawyer in the state your plane is located.
 
And they won't let you see your plane to check for damage or missing parts?
 
The FAA will not touch that.

I’d say doing something with the PD.

Or....depending on who knows what, maybe show up after hours when it’s just some on call / third shift line guy there, and just tell him you need your plane pulled out, and leave. Decent chance all the line people might not know about this.
 
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Matthew said:
And they won't let you see your plane to check for damage or missing parts?
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Maybe they sold the whole thing, instead of chop shopping it. ;)
 
Matthew said:
And they won't let you see your plane to check for damage or missing parts?
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No. I can try again.

They want me to pay.

I am considering reporting the plane as stolen.
 
MooneyGuy35 said:
Oh, one thing I forgot to mention, they changed management / ownership (idk what’s going on) like two days ago. The guy backcharged me because they changed the policy.
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other_shoe_drops5.jpg


Now, it all makes sense. I'd pay, get reciepts. Then take it to small claims court.
 
Isn't tampering with an aircraft a federal offense?
 
I’d really just try to have them pull it out onto the ramp and just leave, do it after hours when management and the front desk people arnt there
 
Sorry, but as a former LEO the police will see it as a civil matter...which it actually is. An attorney is the best option.

Sent them a certified letter demanding the release of your aircraft. Let them know you will take legal action if they're not compliant. Give them a few days to comply...then lawyer up.
 
saddletramp said:
Sorry, but as a former LEO the police will see it as a civil matter...which it actually is. An attorney is the best option.

Sent them a certified letter demanding the release of your aircraft. Let them know you will take legal action if they're not compliant. Give them a few days to comply...then lawyer up.
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I'm not arguing but asking your opinion as a LEO. Say my neighbor moves my car into garage with no prior arrangement, then refuses to return it unless I pay him. Would that be a civil or criminal matter? In my mind that would constitute theft, but I'm just a pilot and firefighter, not in law enforcement.
 
midwestpa24 said:
I'm not arguing but asking your opinion as a LEO. Say my neighbor moves my car into garage with no prior arrangement, then refuses to return it unless I pay him. Would that be a civil or criminal matter? In my mind that would constitute theft, but I'm just a pilot and firefighter, not in law enforcement.
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Of course that would be theft. But if you had parked your car in your neighbor's garage & told him you're be back in a few days, & he refused to give you your car, unless you paid...then it becomes a civil matter.
 
Midlifeflyer....anyideas or suggestions as a private citizen?
 
MooneyGuy35 said:
I just want to get my plane and not get into any court stuff. They have lawyers and stuff while I can’t even afford the fee.

What if I paid then charged back?
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And what incentive would they have to repay you? If you do not want to threaten legal then negotiate it down and take it as lesson learned. I recently had to do that with a CPA that did next to nothing for his $1000 fee. I twisted his arm to refund me $500 and took it as lesson learned.
 
So you are going to pay a lawyer $300 an hour for a $1200 fight. I am sure you will find a lawyer, most would probably say just pay it.
 
MooneyGuy35 said:
I just want to get my plane and not get into any court stuff. They have lawyers and stuff while I can’t even afford the fee.
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What is the fee for small claims court where you are? You don't have to have a lawyer for that.

What if I paid then charged back?
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How do you charge someone back for money that you paid?
 
saddletramp said:
Of course that would be theft. But if you had parked your car in your neighbor's garage & told him you're be back in a few days, & he refused to give you your car, unless you paid...then it becomes a civil matter.
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What if you parked your car on the street, and then your neighbor towed it into his garage? That's what this sounds like to me, that the plane was outside prior to being buried in the hangar and taken hostage.

OP, what is the airport/FBO? Please save the rest of us from running into them!
 
The credit card chargeback is a good idea. The customer is basically always right with a credit card chargeback, especially with American Express. I have never seen the "retailer", in this case the FBO, ever win a chargeback. I don't know why the process isn't actually fair to both parties, but I would give it a greater than 80% chance that you could just dispute the charge and it will be refunded immediately and two months later you will get a letter that the matter is settled and the money is back for good. You can always still start the small claims court stuff in the meantime. Do both and whichever one works first, you can go with that one. Not a problem if both of them work out!
 
Palmpilot said:
What is the fee for small claims court where you are? You don't have to have a lawyer for that.



How do you charge someone back for money that you paid?
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It’s a credit card term that means to dispute a charge to your card.
 
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