What a tail number search tells you

A tail number (also called a registration number or N-number in the United States) is the unique identifier painted on an aircraft's fuselage. Searching by tail number lets you find the aircraft's owner, registration status, maintenance history, accident records, and technical specifications. This is useful if you're buying a used plane, checking on an aircraft you saw, or researching aviation safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains a public database called the Aircraft Registration Inquiry system where you can search any U.S. aircraft by its tail number. The information returned depends on what the FAA has on file and whether the aircraft is currently registered.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAA's Aircraft Registration Inquiry system at registry.faa.gov is the official source for U.S. aircraft tail number searches and is free to use.
  • A tail number search returns the aircraft's owner name, registration status, manufacturer, model, serial number, and engine type, but not accident history or maintenance records.
  • Accident and incident data comes from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) database, which you search separately by aircraft type or tail number.
  • For detailed maintenance records and service history, you typically need to contact the aircraft owner or operator directly, as those records are not public.
  • Tail numbers that start with "N" are U.S.-registered; other countries use different prefixes, and their registration systems are maintained by their own aviation authorities.

How to search the FAA Aircraft Registration database

Go to registry.faa.gov and select "Aircraft Inquiry" from the menu. Enter the tail number in the search field—use only the letters and numbers without any dashes or spaces. For example, search "N12345" not "N-12345".

The system will return the aircraft's current registration status, owner information (which may be a person's name, a company, or a trust), the aircraft's manufacturer and model, its serial number, the number and type of engines, and the year it was manufactured. If the aircraft is not currently registered or the tail number does not exist in the FAA database, the search will return no results.

This database is updated regularly but not in real time. If an aircraft was recently registered or ownership recently changed, the information may take several days to appear in the public inquiry system.

Finding accident and incident history

The FAA registration database does not include accident or incident records. For that information, you need the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) database at data.ntsb.gov. The NTSB investigates all civil aviation accidents and many incidents in the United States.

On the NTSB site, you can search by tail number, aircraft type, location, or date range. The results show the date of the accident or incident, the location, the aircraft involved, the number of people on board, injuries and fatalities, and a summary of what happened. More detailed investigation reports are available for significant accidents.

Keep in mind that the NTSB database covers accidents and incidents that were reported and investigated. Minor incidents that did not result in injury or significant damage may not appear in this database.

What information is not in a public tail number search

A tail number search will not show you maintenance records, service bulletins, airworthiness directives (ADs), or repair history. These records are kept by the aircraft owner and operator and are generally not public. If you are considering buying an aircraft, you can request these records from the seller, and a pre-purchase inspection by a may have access to mechanic is standard practice.

The search also will not show you the current location of the aircraft, its flight schedule, or who is currently operating it on any given day. For active flight tracking, you would use a separate service like FlightRadar24 or ADS-B Exchange, which show real-time aircraft positions based on transponder data.

Pilot records and medical certification information are not linked to tail numbers and are not publicly searchable. The FAA keeps those records separate for privacy reasons.

Searching for non-U.S. aircraft

Tail numbers outside the United States use different prefixes. Aircraft registered in Canada start with "C", the United Kingdom uses "G", Germany uses "D", France uses "F", and so on. Each country maintains its own aircraft registration authority.

To search a non-U.S. aircraft, you need to contact the aviation authority of the country where it is registered. For example, Transport Canada maintains the Canadian aircraft registry, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) maintains the UK registry, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) coordinates registration across EU member states. Most of these agencies have online search tools similar to the FAA's, though the format and available information vary.

Why tail number searches matter for aircraft buyers

If you are considering buying a used aircraft, a tail number search is one of your first steps. The FAA registration search confirms the aircraft exists, who currently owns it, and that it is registered. The NTSB search tells you whether the aircraft has been in any accidents or serious incidents. Together, these searches give you baseline information before you move to the next steps: requesting maintenance records from the seller, arranging a pre-purchase inspection, and having an aviation attorney review the title.

A clean accident history and current registration status do not may provide the aircraft is in good condition—that requires a detailed inspection—but they do flag whether there are known safety concerns or legal issues with the registration.

Common reasons searches return no results

If your search returns nothing, the most common reasons are a typo in the tail number, searching for an aircraft that is not currently registered, or searching for an aircraft registered outside the United States. Double-check the tail number spelling and try again. If the aircraft is deregistered (no longer in active use), it will not appear in the current registration database, though you may still find accident records if it was involved in an incident.

If you are certain the tail number is correct and the aircraft should be registered in the United States, contact the FAA directly at 1-866-TELL-FAA or visit faa.gov to find the regional Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that covers your area. They can help you track down registration information or explain why a search is not returning results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find out who owns a specific aircraft?

Yes. The FAA Aircraft Registration Inquiry system shows the registered owner's name. However, if the aircraft is owned by a trust or a company, you may see only the trust or company name, not the individuals behind it. For privacy reasons, the FAA does not publish the names of all individuals involved in ownership.

Does a tail number search show me if an aircraft has been in an accident?

No, not directly. The FAA registration database does not include accident history. You must search the NTSB database separately at data.ntsb.gov to find accident and incident records. The NTSB covers civil aviation accidents and serious incidents investigated in the United States.

What if the tail number I'm searching for is from another country?

Each country maintains its own aircraft registry. The prefix tells you where the aircraft is registered—for example, "C" for Canada, "G" for the United Kingdom, "D" for Germany. You need to search that country's aviation authority. Most have online search tools similar to the FAA's, though the interface and available information vary.

Can I find maintenance records using a tail number?

No. Maintenance records are kept by the aircraft owner and operator and are not public. If you are buying an aircraft, you can request these records from the seller. A pre-purchase inspection by a may have access to mechanic is the standard way to verify the condition and maintenance history of a used aircraft.

How often is the FAA aircraft registration database updated?

The FAA updates the public Aircraft Registration Inquiry system regularly, but not in real time. If an aircraft was recently registered or ownership recently changed, it may take several days for the information to appear in the public database. For the most current information, you can contact the FAA directly.