Redundant Aircraft Log Books

Mon Dec 19, 2005 7:42 am

Hi all

this may seem like a silly question but I have asked several people and got several different answers. but here goes......

If an aircraft crashes, is lost, or struck off, is there a procedure that is followed regarding its log books, service records etc. What happens to the paperwork attached to that aircraft? are they archived or destroyed?

Please be kind.

cheers

Digger

Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:15 pm

Hi Digger!

I know that sometimes, here in the US, the paperwork and logs are attached to another aircraft thats being restored.

This is big for planes like P51D's that can be in the limited category, without paperwork, experimental.

I know that there's someone here who knows a lot more about it, I don't have time to look in the FAR's at the moment. I'll look when I get home.

Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:42 pm

As far as active duty military aircraft....Once the investigation is complete, they are kept for 10 years (pending any legal action) and then destroyed.

Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:22 am

I think you can de-register an aircraft with the FAA or have the Airworthiness Certificate revoked if you (or the insurance company) so chooses. I don't think that there is any set procedure for a civilian owner of a destroyed aircraft in the US though. Usually the logs just get lost or thrown away, or the important part, the Airworthiness Certificate gets sold as O.P. suggests.