High time or missing logs?

Roy N5804F wrote:
Reading through the thread, I am not understanding something.
If the logs are missing before 1986 how can the TT & TSOH be verified ?
I thought anyone can start a new set of logs. Maybe write in fictitious TT
and SMOH figures.
Perhaps I am wrong, but I would not give any credence at all to the TT &
SMOH that are declared on this 65 year old bird without complete logs


Occasionally, the records for an aircraft are lost or destroyed. In
order to re-construct them, it is necessary to establish the total
time-in-service of the airframe. This can be done by reference to
other records that reflect the time-in-service; research of records
maintained by repair facilities; and reference to records maintained by
individual mechanics, etc. When these things have been done and the
record is still incomplete, the owner/operator may make a notarized
statement in the new record describing the loss and establishing the
time-in-service based on the research and the best estimate of
time-in-service.
a. The current status of applicable AD's may present a more formidable
problem. This may require a detailed inspection by maintenance
personnel to establish that the applicable AD's have been complied
with. It can readily be seen that this could entail considerable time,
expense, and in some instances, might require recompliance wìth the
AD.
b. Other items required by section 91.417(a)(2), such as the current
status of life-limited parts, time since last overhaul, current
inspection status, and current list of major alterations, may present
difficult problems. Some items may be easier to reestablish than
others, but all are problems. Losing maintenance records can be
troublesome, costly, and time consuming. Safekeeping of the records is
an integral part of a good record keeping system.

Some circumstances impact the owner's or operator's ability to comply
with section 91.417(a)(2)(i). For example, in the case of rebuilt
engines, the owner or operator would not have a way of knowing the
total time-in-service, since section 91.421 permits the maintenance
record to be discontinued and the engine time to be started at zero.
In this case, the maintenance record and time-in-service, subsequent to
the rebuild, comprise a satisfactory record.

Reference AC 43-9C

Stache