Hawaii § 261-73 - Custody and disposal of derelict aircraft.

Full text of Hawaii Hawaii Revised Statutes § 261-73 — Custody and disposal of derelict aircraft., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 261-73. Custody and disposal of derelict aircraft.

(a) An aircraft which has been left unattended for a continuous period of more than twenty-four hours is a derelict, if: (1) The aircraft is obstructing a taxiway, runway or ramp parking area, or is endangering life or property; or (2) The aircraft has been parked or otherwise left at a state airport or on public property contrary to law or rules having the force and effect of law, or the aircraft has been left on private property without authorization of the owner or occupant of the property and if: (A) The aircraft's certificate of registration or aviation document is no longer effective and the registered owner no longer resides at the address listed in the aircraft registration document records of the Federal Aviation Administration; or (B) The last registered owner disclaims ownership and the current owner's name or address cannot be determined; or (C) The aircraft identification numbers and other means of identification have been removed so as to nullify efforts to locate or identify the owner; or (D) The aircraft registration records of the Federal Aviation Administration contain no record that the aircraft has ever been registered and the owner's name or address cannot be determined. (b) The director of transportation may cause a derelict aircraft to be immediately taken into custody. Upon taking custody of a derelict aircraft the director shall concurrently: (1) Give public notice of intended disposition; (2) When possible, post a notice of intended disposition on the aircraft; and (3) Serve a duplicate original of the notice of intended disposition by certified mail, return receipt requested: (A) On the registered owner of the aircraft at the last address shown on records in the Federal Aviation Administration; (B) On all lien holders who have filed a financing statement indexed in the name of the registered owner in the bureau of conveyances or who are shown in the records of the Federal Aviation Administration; and (C) On any other person known to have an interest in the aircraft whose address is known to the department of transportation. If the aircraft is not repossessed within twenty days after the giving and mailing of the notice, whichever occurs later, the aircraft may be disposed of by negotiated sale, except that, when two or more purchasers indicate an interest in purchasing the aircraft, the aircraft will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder. If no purchaser expresses a desire to purchase the aircraft, the aircraft may be destroyed or disposed of by any other method authorized for abandoned aircraft. [L 1981, c 25, pt of §1; am L 1998, c 2, §79] Previous Vol05_Ch0261-0319 Next

Source: official Hawaii text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii § 261-73

What does Hawaii Revised Statutes § 261-73 cover?

Section 261-73 ("Custody and disposal of derelict aircraft.") is part of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Hawaii. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Hawaii § 261-73?

A common citation format is "Hawaii Revised Statutes § 261-73" (Hawaii). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Hawaii law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Hawaii official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Hawaii attorney.

How does Hawaii § 261-73 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Hawaii can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Hawaii.