Notifying the FAA when someone dies
Executor is responsible for notifying the FAA
OverviewWhen someone dies
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch
Phone(405) 954-3116
Toll-Free1-866-762-9434
Fax(405) 954-3548
Mailing Address
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, P.O. Box 25504, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch — Deceased Estates
Phone(405) 954-3116
Toll-Free1-866-762-9434
Mailing Address
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, P.O. Box 25504, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time
FAA Airmen Certification Branch — Report a Deceased Airman
Mailing Address
Federal Aviation Administration, Airmen Certification Branch, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
Timeline
Documents are processed in the order they are received. Until the Registry issues the new Certificate of Aircraft Registration, the applicant's "pink copy" of AC Form 8050-1 serves as temporary authority to operate, valid until the certificate is issued, the application is denied, or 12 months elapse (14 CFR 47.31).
WebsiteLearn more →
Verified Jul 2026
When someone dies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must be notified. The executor is responsible for notifying the FAA.
Notification deadline: Within 60 days after the death of the certificate holder (14 CFR 47.41(b)(2)). The Certificate of Aircraft Registration itself ends 30 days after the death of the certificate holder (14 CFR 47.41(a)(4))..
Steps to take
Steps for notifying the FAA and applying for survivor benefits:
1
Report the death of an airman to the FAA Airmen Certification Branch:
- •Send a signed letter by email to airmenregistry@faa.gov or by mail to Federal Aviation Administration, Airmen Certification Branch, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
- •Include the deceased airman's full name, date of birth, and certificate number
- •If available, attach proof of death such as a death certificate, obituary, or coroner's report
- •FAA mailings to the airman may continue for a few months after the record is updated
2
Notify the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch within 60 days after the death (14 CFR 47.41(b)(2)):
- •Return the paper Certificate of Aircraft Registration with the reverse side completed, or — for an electronically issued certificate — provide notice by email
- •Mail to: FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, P.O. Box 25504, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504
- •Commercial delivery: 6425 South Denning, Registry Building Room 118, Oklahoma City, OK 73169-6937
- •Note that under 14 CFR 47.41(a)(4) the registration itself ends 30 days after the death of the certificate holder
3
Re-register the aircraft in the executor's or administrator's name (14 CFR 47.11(e)):
- •Complete a new Aircraft Registration Application (AC Form 8050-1) in the name of the executor or administrator
- •Attach a certified copy of letters testamentary or letters of administration appointing the executor or administrator
- •Submit by mail or as a digitally signed attachment to 9-avs-ar-electronic-submittals@faa.gov
4
If the aircraft is being sold or transferred to an heir or buyer (14 CFR 47.11(f)):
- •Complete a Bill of Sale (AC Form 8050-2) signed for the estate by the executor or administrator
- •The buyer completes a new Aircraft Registration Application (AC Form 8050-1)
- •Attach a certified copy of the letters testamentary or letters of administration
- •If no executor or administrator has been or is to be appointed, an heir-at-law affidavit (REGAR-HEIR-1) replaces the court letters and the Bill of Sale is signed by the heir-at-law
5
If the aircraft was destroyed or is permanently retired, a responsible party such as a member of the deceased owner's family may request cancellation of registration by signed letter mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Aircraft Registration Branch.
6
Address any open security agreements, chattel mortgages, or liens recorded against the aircraft before transferring or selling, since recorded interests follow the aircraft until released.
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate (or obituary / coroner's report for an airman notification)
- Original or court-certified copy of letters testamentary (if executor) or letters of administration (if administrator)
- Heir-at-Law Form (REGAR-HEIR-1) when no executor or administrator has been or will be appointed
- Aircraft Registration Application (AC Form 8050-1) in the name of the executor, administrator, heir, or buyer
- Bill of Sale (AC Form 8050-2) signed by the executor, administrator, or heir-at-law if the aircraft is being sold or transferred
- The existing Certificate of Aircraft Registration (paper certificate, with the reverse side completed) if one was issued in paper form
Timeline
Documents are processed in the order they are received. Until the Registry issues the new Certificate of Aircraft Registration, the applicant's "pink copy" of AC Form 8050-1 serves as temporary authority to operate, valid until the certificate is issued, the application is denied, or 12 months elapse (14 CFR 47.31).
Survivor benefits
Aircraft Re-Registration in the Estate's Name
Under 14 CFR 47.11(e), the executor or administrator of the deceased owner's estate may apply to have the Certificate of Aircraft Registration reissued in the executor's or administrator's name. The applicant submits a new Aircraft Registration Application (AC Form 8050-1) together with a certified copy of the letters testamentary or letters of administration appointing them.
Eligibility: Court-appointed executor, administrator, or personal representative of the deceased owner's estate
How to apply: Submit AC Form 8050-1 and a certified copy of letters testamentary or letters of administration to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch in Oklahoma City
Learn more →Aircraft Transfer to a Buyer from the Estate
Under 14 CFR 47.11(f), a buyer purchasing an aircraft from the estate must submit both a Bill of Sale (AC Form 8050-2) signed for the estate by the executor or administrator and a certified copy of the letters testamentary or letters of administration. If no executor or administrator has been appointed, the buyer submits a Bill of Sale signed by the heir-at-law together with an heir-at-law affidavit.
Eligibility: Buyer of an aircraft from a deceased owner's estate
How to apply: Submit AC Form 8050-1 (Aircraft Registration Application), AC Form 8050-2 (Bill of Sale) signed by the executor/administrator or heir-at-law, and the supporting court documents or heir-at-law affidavit to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch
Learn more →Heir-at-Law Transfer
When no executor or administrator has been or is to be appointed, the heir-at-law may submit an affidavit describing the aircraft and stating that no application has been made for the appointment of an executor or administrator, that none is expected to be made, and that the affiant is the person entitled under the laws of the state having jurisdiction to take possession of or dispose of the aircraft. The FAA publishes a Heir-At-Law Form (REGAR-HEIR-1) for this purpose.
Eligibility: Heir-at-law of the deceased owner when no executor or administrator has been or will be appointed
How to apply: Submit the Heir-At-Law Form (REGAR-HEIR-1) and AC Form 8050-1 to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Under 14 CFR 47.41(a)(4), the Certificate of Aircraft Registration ends 30 days after the death of the certificate holder. The FAA must be given notice of the death within 60 days under 14 CFR 47.41(b)(2). The aircraft must be re-registered in the name of the executor, administrator, heir, or a buyer from the estate before it can continue to be flown.
Under 14 CFR 47.11(e), the executor or administrator submits a new Aircraft Registration Application (AC Form 8050-1) together with a certified copy of the letters testamentary or letters of administration appointing them. The Certificate of Aircraft Registration is then issued to the applicant as executor or administrator. Forms are submitted to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch in Oklahoma City.
Send a signed letter to the FAA Airmen Certification Branch by email at airmenregistry@faa.gov or by mail to P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082. Include the airman's full name, date of birth or certificate number, and — if available — proof of death such as a death certificate, obituary, or coroner's report.
The FAA's published procedure asks for a signed letter notifying the Airmen Certification Branch of the death; proof of death is requested if available. The agency updates its records based on that notification. FAA mailings to the airman may continue for a few months until the record is fully updated.
A responsible party such as a member of the deceased owner's family, a co-owner, or the executor may request cancellation by signed letter to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch. The request may be mailed, faxed, or submitted as a digitally signed attachment to 9-avs-ar-electronic-submittals@faa.gov.
After completing the notification process, eligible survivors can apply for 3 benefits through the FAA. Each benefit has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Keep copies of all documents submitted to the FAA. Original documents submitted for verification are typically returned after processing.
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch
Phone(405) 954-3116
Toll-Free1-866-762-9434
Fax(405) 954-3548
Mailing Address
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, P.O. Box 25504, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch — Deceased Estates
Phone(405) 954-3116
Toll-Free1-866-762-9434
Mailing Address
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, P.O. Box 25504, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time
FAA Airmen Certification Branch — Report a Deceased Airman
Mailing Address
Federal Aviation Administration, Airmen Certification Branch, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
Timeline
Documents are processed in the order they are received. Until the Registry issues the new Certificate of Aircraft Registration, the applicant's "pink copy" of AC Form 8050-1 serves as temporary authority to operate, valid until the certificate is issued, the application is denied, or 12 months elapse (14 CFR 47.31).
WebsiteLearn more →
Verified Jul 2026