Registering a Destroyed Aircraft

[lmccormick]

I "think" I was given a glider that is listed on the FAA registry as "destroyed" in 1992. The glider was sold/given to another pilot as parts since he has the same plane. No bill of sale or any other paperwork was ever filed, it is still registered with the FAA as "Cancelled/destroyed" in 1992. That remains of that plane was "given" to me by the second person - who has no paperwork. The original owners (it was co-owned by a father/son) has proved difficult/impossible to locate. All the local airports tell me they will not allow a plane to be at the airport without insurance and the insurance people tell me they will not insure without the title/registration. The glider needs a lot of work, but hesitant to even begin until I know that I own it.
Is there a way to register this plane in my name since it was listed as destroyed. Seems like people who recover lost aircraft that have been located years after they disappeared must be able to do this somehow?

Larry M

[Chris In Marshfield]

Great question. We have a similar scenario at my airport. I'd love to see what folks have to say about it.

[Dana]

People rebuild "destroyed" aircraft all the time, but the big problem might be establishing title to the aircraft (chain of ownership / bill of sale). Can you contact the original owner and get a bill of sale?

[lmccormick]

That was my question I was trying to state - establishing ownership.... So far we have not been able to locate either of the co-owners. I was really asking if "there is another way to establish title to a destroyed aircraft".

[dougbush]

You could ask the FAA Registry in Oklahoma City if a bill of sale from the second owner would be sufficient for you to register it. What have you done to try to locate the first owner? Did you write to their last known address? Did you call the airport where it was based?

[FlyingRon]

All you need is a serial number to "repair" an aircraft on to.

[martymayes]

I "think" I was given a glider that is listed on the FAA registry as "destroyed" in 1992. The glider was sold/given to another pilot as parts since he has the same plane.

Is there a way to register this plane in my name since it was listed as destroyed.

Is there an FAA aircraft dataplate attached to any of those parts? If not, you can pretty much forget it.

[crusty old aviator]

Oh, Marty, don't be so negative! If there is a data plate, that will be very helpful, otherwise, you'll have to get a blank replacement from Wingsandwheels or the manufacturer and have it stamped.

Christine Mounger is one of the most helpful people at the Aircraft Registration Branch in OK City. Contact her at 405-954-3116 and have her send you FAA Form AFS-750-DESTROY-1 (01/13). Fill it out and mail it back to her, along with:
1) Photographs showing the aircraft in its current condition, as a whole (i.e. left and right, front and back views of the complete airframe, and a very clear photo of the data plate that Marty mentioned above)
2) Current document copies (i.e. maintenance records, 337 forms, repair shop work orders, etc.)
3) Affidavits and/or statements pertaining to the current condition of the aircraft.

Hopefully, the N number is still available, or you'll have to request a new number, too. Being Experimental-Exhibition category, you don't need an IA to sign off on the repairs, and A&P has authority to do that. Most of the repair manuals are posted online by various soaring clubs and can be downloaded for free, you just have to search for them. The repair materials are available from several composite supply houses, too, you just have to search for them.

Good luck, and have fun with it!

[martymayes]

Oh, Marty, don't be so negative! If there is a data plate, that will be very helpful, otherwise, you'll have to get a blank replacement from Wingsandwheels or the manufacturer and have it stamped.

lol, I see you have never requested a replacement data plate from a manufacturer.

[crusty old aviator]

The Europeans will sell anything because, not being subject to Yankee litigation, they lack the paranoia that American manufacturers' insurance underwriters are afflicted with. Yankee data plates are more easy to come by from Ebay and screen printing shops, like Nostalgic Reflections (http://www.nostalgicreflections.com/aviation.html).