FAA Orphans VanDyke Russell Plane Door STC as Abandoned Tech
Published Date: 10/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The FAA plans to declare the VanDyke Russell Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) as abandoned because they can’t reach the company. This affects owners of certain Piper aircraft models who use this STC for door removal and placard installation. The FAA will release the engineering data to keep these planes safe, and they want your comments by April 5, 2027.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
FAA may release STC engineering data
The FAA intends to designate Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA176CE as abandoned and will release the STC engineering data upon request if no owner establishes ownership by April 5, 2027. STC No. SA176CE covers removal of a door and installation of a placard on FS 2001 Corp. models (previously New Piper Aircraft) AE-1, HE-1, J5A (Army L-4F), J5A-80, J5B (Army L-4G), and J5C aircraft.
Owners or heirs must prove STC ownership
If you are the owner, heir, or transferee of STC No. SA176CE, you must contact the FAA and provide a notarized copy of your government-issued ID plus a letter and background establishing ownership or heir relationship during the comment period ending April 5, 2027. The FAA will consider the STC abandoned if no one establishes ownership by that date.
Commercial/financial data will not be released
The FAA will not release commercial or financial information under the Freedom of Information Act without the data owner's permission, but may provide STC engineering data under 49 U.S.C. 44704(a)(5) if the STC has been inactive 3 years or more, the FAA cannot locate the owner or heir, and releasing the data will enhance aviation safety.
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