Collected an abandoned, deteriorating engine-less 172 some years ago. Cowls etc had been blowing around the field...collected up a couple of times and strapped on. . Doors flapping in the wind, ...tied up, to keep the wx out..as you do. Been there for 8 years.
Following the rego search, wrote twice to the ex chtr co, that had owned it.
Nil response.
Thru ASIC found that the Chtr co. had been involuntary wound up and that asset, C 172 was now the property of ASIC.
Followed up with the local council to see if any outstanding parking fees due. None. Since Council take away abandoned old cars what are your intentions with this abandoned aircraft carcass? NFI.
Placed a notice of intention to salvage in the cockpit readable from the outside.
Come the day of dismantle, ably assisted by many "accessories to the act" from a local open day, fuse was towed to a mates shed,having replaced the tyres, and trucked in the wings later. Now all dry and under cover. We laid no claim to it. It had corrosion issues,been robbed a bit, some seats missing etc and might have been savable or might well have been painted bright yellow and given to the local kindy.
Now comes the exciting bit. Cops, all a quiver with hands on shooters just in case..arrive at my mates place and want to see the stolen aircraft, just flown in from xxxxx. !!! Keystone here we come !
We are accused of 'stealing an aeroplane'... that sounds more glamorous than ' removing a wreck''
Following arrests and a couple of court hearings, the accuser is unable to prove that it was actually his ( it wasn't) and altho ASIC told the polis.'do not hand over that airframe to the claimant until that case is heard'. But they did.
At the 2nd hearing, awaiting the plods production of the 'owners' evidence that was not forthcoming because there wasnt any, the magistrate posed the question....'why are these people at large' ?? Que?? No bail ?? Free!!
Since this is the age of terrorism, you mustnt "steal an aeroplane" !!
SO...it was back on the tarmac for the 172, out in the wx and there it remains today, broken windscreen and totally buggered now.
There was a bit of kharma out of this little frolic.. the cop who allowed the 172 to go to him that didnt own it, a few months later got busted for blackmail and got 3 years or so in the calaboose. Nice one.!
For the 'owner' many years later there was some very big kharma...
but thats another story.
ps,,our initial investigations into the laws of salvage found that the marine environment is the problem. so to speak. Come across an abandoned vessel and she's yours. Pick up an abandoned airframe,... and it might have been,
We had pulled all the right stings to begin with, but the laws just dont seem to have got the aeroplane salvage thing the same way.
Anyway the other resto projects have been very satisfying and its good to think you have saved something from the dump, to fly again.
Good luck, Chasco
Gofer