Small Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors
I neglected to notice that the Airworthiness Certificate was missing from the plane in the morning. It should be in a little pocket on the front of the pilot's door side pocket that's difficult to get the certificates out of it. And without pulling all the certificates out of the pocket; it's not possible to make sure that the 3 certificates are in there (registration; airworthiness; and radio license). Only the front one can be seen. And if we are constantly pulling all the certificates out that's a lot of extra wear and tear on the certificates. I happened to pull the certificates out of the pocket while waiting for the evening freight and discovered that the Airworthiness Certificate was missing. Dispatch figured out how to make it legal for me to get home. Perhaps have 3 pockets (or one wide pocket) on the door instead of just one small pocket so all 3 certificates can be seen without pulling them out of the pocket. That way they're easy to check without any wear and tear. Or make the pocket larger so that they are easier to pull out.
It was brought to my attention that the Airworthiness Certificate for Aircraft X was missing. At this time; it is not known when it was removed from the aircraft. I have recently flown the aircraft in question. To the best of my knowledge; the certificate was on board the aircraft. It was not my intention to operate the aircraft without the required documents on board.
Air Taxi Pilot reports aircraft airworthiness certificate missing.