"Ron Wanttaja" wrote in message
news

The situation is probably analogous to finding a wrecked 172 in the
mountains. Somebody probably still holds the title, whether it's the
original owner, their estate, or the insurance company that paid the
claim.


Private vehicles that are abandoned are usually covered by salvage laws that
allow people to claim them after a certain period of time. The US government
exempts itself from these salvage laws, however.

If somebody did find a 172 in the mountains they might be able to claim it
under salvage laws. Many states tax salvage quite heavily.