Missing or incomplete logbooks can slash your aircraft’s resale value by 10%–60%. Learn why, where your aircraft might fall on that spectrum, and how digital backups with Postflight can protect your investment.

Lost Aircraft Logbooks: How Much Value Your Plane Could Lose (and Why)

We’ve all heard that missing logbooks can cost you big when it’s time to sell your aircraft. Estimates vary wildly from around 10% to as high as 60%. Why the large gap? Where would my plane actually fall on this spectrum? More importantly, why do lost logbooks have such a major impact on aircraft value? Let’s unpack these questions.

First, let’s talk about where these numbers come from:

VREF, who are in the business of aircraft valuation, state that lost logbooks causes a loss of between 40 - 60%!
AvBuyer, a leader in aircraft sales and intelligence, claims lost logbooks decrease an aircraft’s value between 10% and 30%.
AOPA doesn’t give a percentage, but outlines how uncertainty causes a substantial penalty to the aircraft’s value.
Then there are countless anecdotes from owners and brokers across various owner forums.

So, why the large gap?

Because “missing logbooks” can mean very different things.

Partial vs. total loss: If only a few entries or a single binder are missing, the hit might be modest (5–15%). If the entire airframe or engine history is gone, it can slash the value by 40–60%.
Type of aircraft: Buyers are more forgiving on a 1960s taildragger than a 2020 turboprop or jet where maintenance tracking is more critical.
Verifiability: If the owner can reconstruct history with FAA records, invoices, and mechanic statements, appraisers may soften the penalty.
Market conditions: In tight markets with few comparable aircraft, the discount might narrow; in normal markets, buyers have options and the penalty grows.

In short, the range reflects different scenarios, not disagreement between experts.

What would that mean for my plane?

It depends on what’s missing and what can be proven.

Minor gaps (e.g., a few months of entries) → ~5–10% reduction
Lost engine logbooks → 20–40% reduction (since time-since-overhaul can’t be proven)
Complete loss of logs → 40–60% reduction or more, especially on complex aircraft
Older or lower-value aircraft → the hit is smaller in dollar terms, but often larger in percentage terms relative to its total value

Appraisers usually start with a rule of thumb around 25–30% for major documentation loss, then adjust based on recoverability and aircraft type. If you can substantiate maintenance history through FAA Form 337s, invoices, or a mechanic’s affidavit, that number may shrink substantially.

Why do lost logbooks have such a major impact on value?

Because logbooks aren’t just paperwork. They are the aircraft’s proof of identity, condition, and legality.

Airworthiness: Without them, you can’t verify AD compliance, engine times, or modification approvals. These are all legal requirements for flight.
Liability: Buyers and lenders assume hidden damage or unapproved modifications.
Maintenance planning: Missing logs make it impossible to forecast upcoming expenses accurately.
Insurance and financing: Many insurers and lenders will decline coverage or financing without complete records.
Market confidence: Even if the aircraft is mechanically perfect, the perception of risk drives buyers away or forces deep discounts.

In other words, logbooks don’t just document value, they create it.

The bottom line? Your logbooks are just as valuable as the airplane itself. They prove compliance, safeguard resale value, and give buyers the confidence to pay what your aircraft is truly worth. Lose them, and you’re not just missing paperwork, you’re missing proof.

What can I do to protect my logbooks?

The good news is, protecting your records has never been easier. With Postflight, you can digitize, back up, and securely store every logbook entry, 337, STC, and receipt, so they’re safe from fire, loss, or the next “I thought you had them” moment. Postflight keeps your logbooks searchable, shareable, and protected for life.

Whether you’re preparing for your next annual, an appraisal, or a sale, digital logbooks give you something priceless: peace of mind. Because the only thing worse than losing your logbooks is realizing you could have prevented it.