Why No N-Number in FAA Database?

Even if totalled... it may still exist..

My father ditched a Beech 18 off of Honolulu in the late 70's (totalling
the airframe).. A few years ago I found his old log books and the N
number is still registered to his name and that now totalled aircraft.

I dont know how to explain your lack of finding info, except to say
maybe 1) you made an error or 2) someone is not providing good info 3)
the government is being its usual self.

Dave

Carl Orton wrote:
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