S.L. 499.22 Art. 26Disposalofaircraft or wreckage.

(1) Aircraft or aircraft wreckage preserved by an inspector for the purpose of an investigation may be disposed of to its rightful owners, or their authorised representatives, at such time as the inspector considers appropriate. For this purpose, the Chief Investigator may facilitate access to the aircraft, its contents or any parts thereof.

(2) Where the rightful owners cannot be determined, the Chief Investigator shall release the aircraft, its contents or any parts thereof to any person or persons duly designated by the State of registry or the State of the operator, as applicable.

(3) The Chief Investigator shall, where he intends to release aircraft wreckage, issue a notice to persons referred to in sub-regulations (1) and (2), or where such persons cannot be traced, by publishing such notice in at least three daily newspapers giving details of the aircraft wreckage and specifying the period during which it should be removed: Provided that the person to whom the notice has been issued may, before the expiry of the notice and for good cause, apply in writing to the Chief Investigator for an extension of the period within which the wreckage may be removed.

(4) Where a person served with a notice fails to take custody of the aircraft, parts thereof, contents or wreckage within the period specified in the notice, the aircraft, parts thereof, contents or wreckage may be disposed in such manner as the inspector considers fit and the expenses incurred by the Bureau for such disposal shall be recoverable from the owner or operator of the aircraft or both.