What legal risks are associated with towing an unattended airplane for an unpaid bill?

The legal risks associated with towing an unattended airplane for an unpaid bill primarily revolve around the concepts of conversion and false imprisonment.

Conversion refers to the unauthorized taking or control of someone else's property. When a towing company or individual moves an airplane without the owner's consent, it can be regarded as an act of conversion because they are exercising control over the aircraft which may belong to someone else, thus denying the owner the use of their property.

False imprisonment, on the other hand, could apply in this scenario if towing the airplane effectively restricts the owner's liberty or access to their property. This situation arises if the owner is unable to retrieve their airplane due to the towing action, leading to a potential claim of false imprisonment, particularly if the owner was within proximity or was attempting to access the aircraft when it was towed away.

The legal ramifications of these actions underscore the importance of following legal protocols and ensuring that debts are collected in a lawful manner, as disregarding these can lead to significant legal challenges such as claims for conversion or false imprisonment.