Lost airworthiness certificate

[TresBurros 0]

I’m looking to buy an avid heavy hauler that the owner said he lost the airworthiness certificate. Owner said getting a copy/new certificate is just a request from FAA. The N number shows registered on FAA site but hasn’t been been kept up to date. Plane looks to be in flying condition. I’m willing to have an annual inspection completed to have some assurance. 
 

 

[wypaul 448]

I would sure have him get that copy of the airworthiness certificate before making the purchase if it were me.

[Allen Sutphin 705]

Getting a replacement AWC is pretty easy if it's legally registered already.

[Krispyxxx 0]

When an aircraft is not registered for a certain amount of time, the N number will eventually be deregistered and be up for grabs for someone else. The N number would have to be reserved and then reassigned to that specific aircraft. Once that is complete, a copy of the airworthiness should be available from the FAA. For $10 you can receive a CD for all records of the aircraft. I would imagine it having a copy of the airworthiness, but I'm not sure on that.

Worse case scenario would be having a DAR-T inspect the airplane and reissuing an airworthiness.

[nlappos 413]

Registration is like the license plate, easy to renew, even if lapsed. Worst thing is a new N number, just a PITA for the paint job.

Airworthiness certificate is a whole other ball of wax. It is FAA agreement that the aircraft is safe to fly, and involves every rivet. Ask him to get another copy as a term of the sale, and don't pay till you see it and the limitation. If he cannot get one, walk away. If you ever had to redo the Airworthiness, it is not an easy job, and with no build paperwork and photo book, probably a very very daunting task.

Nick