TCA § 66-29-302 — Discovery of derelict or abandoned aircraft at public-use airport — Notification of owner or other interested party
AI-assisted research summary: If a derelict or abandoned aircraft is found at a public-use airport, the airport authority must record the discovery, look for the owner or interested parties, and notify them within 10 business days. If the owner cannot be found, the authority must post a notice on the aircraft, using the required size and weatherproof format.
If a derelict or abandoned aircraft is discovered on a public-use airport, whether or not the public-use airport is under a lease or license to a third party, the airport authority shall: Make a record of the date the aircraft was discovered on the public-use airport; and Inquire as to the name and address of any person having an equitable or legal interest in the aircraft, including the owner and any lien holders, by: Contacting the federal aviation administration, aircraft registration branch, and making a diligent search of the appropriate records; or Contacting an aircraft title search company. Within ten (10) business days of receiving the information requested pursuant to subsection (a), the airport authority shall notify the owner and all other interested parties by certified mail, return receipt requested: Of the location of the derelict or abandoned aircraft on the public-use airport; That fees and charges for the use of the airport by the aircraft have accrued and the amount of those fees and charges; That the aircraft is subject to a lien under § 66-29-304 for any unpaid and accrued fees and charges for the use of the airport and for the transportation, storage, and removal of the aircraft; That the lien is subject to enforcement pursuant to this part; That the airport may use, trade, sell, or remove the aircraft as described in § 66-29-303 if, within thirty (30) calendar days after the date of receipt of the notice, the owner or other interested party has not removed the aircraft from the airport and paid in full all accrued fees and charges for the use of the airport and for the transportation, storage, and removal of the aircraft; and That the airport authority may remove the aircraft in less than thirty (30) calendar days if the aircraft poses a danger to the health or safety of users of the public-use airport, as determined by the airport authority. If, after the inquiry required by subdivision (a)(2), the owner of the aircraft is unknown or cannot be found, the airport authority shall place a notice upon the aircraft in a conspicuous position containing the information required by subdivisions (b)(2)-(6). The notice under subdivision (c)(1) shall be not less than eight inches (8") by ten inches (10") and shall be laminated or otherwise sufficiently weatherproof to withstand normal exposure to rain, snow, and other conditions.