How Can I Put a Lien on an Aircraft?

You can put a lien on an aircraft if you performed any service to or involving the aircraft or you provided any parts or other goods for the aircraft, and the owner of the aircraft did not pay you in return. The lien gives you the right to file a lawsuit in order to claim and sell the aircraft for payment. Aircraft liens involve state lien laws and Federal Aviation Administration -- FAA -- rules, making them particularly complicated. Strongly consider hiring a lawyer with experience in your state's lien laws.

Instructions

1

Look up your state's mechanic lien laws, preferably with a qualified attorney. Every state has different rules about lien documents, deadlines for filing and claiming, giving notice to the owner and other aspects of liens. The FAA requires that you submit documents in line with your state's regulations and according to your state's guidelines.

2

Draft the lien claim according to your state's rules, and give notice to the owner of the aircraft if and how your state requires it. All states require a lien claim to have both the service provider's and owner's full names and addresses, the service provider's signature, a description of the service rendered and the date, as well as the monetary value of the claim. However, many states require other types of information and a specific format for listing information.

3

Ensure that the lien claim forms include the value of the claim; the aircraft's N-number, manufacturer, model and serial number; dates of the service or goods provided and your original ink signature. The FAA requires all claims to list at least this information as part of or in addition to the information required by states.

4

Write a check or get a money order for $5, payable to the Federal Aviation Administration.

5

Mail the lien claim and your form of payment to the FAA's registration office in Oklahoma City. All liens should be mailed to: FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, AFS-750, P.O. Box 25504, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504.