AerScheduler

14 CFR Part 91 · Subpart E · Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations

14 CFR 91.419: Maintenance records when an aircraft is sold

Whoever sells a US-registered aircraft must give the buyer its status records from 91.417(a)(2) at the time of sale, and its work records too, although the buyer can let the seller keep physical custody of those.

Section last amended December 30, 2016 · Text current as of October 15, 2026 · Also cited as FAR 91.419 · Read it on eCFR

14 CFR 91.419 in plain English

  • The status records (total time, life-limited parts, overhaul times, inspection and AD status, Form 337s) go to the buyer at the sale. (a)
  • The work records go too, unless the buyer agrees the seller may keep physical custody of them. (b)
  • Even then, the buyer is responsible for making the records available to the FAA and NTSB. (b)
  • Records may be handed over in plain language or coded form, at the buyer's choice. (a)

Common questions

The seller lost a logbook. What now?
The rule requires the seller to transfer the records, but it cannot recreate missing ones. A missing logbook usually means reconstructing status from other sources, a large inspection, and a lower price.

Official text of 14 CFR 91.419

§ 91.419 Transfer of maintenance records. Verbatim from the eCFR, current as of October 15, 2026.

Any owner or operator who sells a U.S.-registered aircraft shall transfer to the purchaser, at the time of sale, the following records of that aircraft, in plain language form or in coded form at the election of the purchaser, if the coded form provides for the preservation and retrieval of information in a manner acceptable to the Administrator:

(a)The records specified in § 91.417(a)(2).

(b)The records specified in § 91.417(a)(1) which are not included in the records covered by paragraph (a) of this section, except that the purchaser may permit the seller to keep physical custody of such records. However, custody of records by the seller does not relieve the purchaser of the responsibility under § 91.417(c) to make the records available for inspection by the Administrator or any authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Related

AerScheduler keeps inspections, squawks and work orders on each aircraft. It tracks the status; the signed logbook stays the record. See how