Update:

The a/c was (still is) repossessed.

Allegedly (use this word strongly) someone sent in a de-register request due
with "a/c destroyed" as the reason.

Then, someone else (unsure here) allegedly requested the same number as a
custom request.

So, even if the plane gets re-registered, the old number cannot be used (or
at least, until the year is up if they never actually use the number).

Interesting way to protest a reposession?

Found out most of this via AOPA. I have a copy of the FAA registry on my
computer, but as noted, found nothing. AOPA was able to immediately go
directly to FAA while I was on the phone to tell me about the
de-registration and number reservation.

When I called the bank to tell them this news, they were a bit surprised!!!
They're supposedly working it with one of their title services in OKC.

Should be interesting....

"Carl Orton" wrote in message
...
Hi all;

Checking into my first plane purchase, and have a question for you that
I'm
not sure of.

I found a plane. I have not seen the registration cert (haven't looked for
it).

The N-number is *not* in the FAA aircraft registry database.

Why? I thought that registrations were good until changed - as in,
transferred to another owner, or if the a/c were totalled.

Thanks for any insight;
Carl