No, per FAA regulations, Southeast Aerospace (SEA) cannot accept items with tampered with or missing identification or data plates. The FAA labels such parts Suspected Unapproved Part or SUP. There are several FAA documents and regulations that spell out the procedures for identifying and processing of SUPs.

According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 21-29C, a SUP is defined as "a part, component, or material that is suspected of not meeting the requirements of an "approved part." A part that, for any reason, a person believes is not approved. Reasons may include findings such as different finish, size, color, improper (or lack of) identification, incomplete or altered paperwork, or any other questionable indication."

Section 7, b. (3) of Advisory Circular AC 21-29C documents a Acceptance Procedure for indentifying a SUP by verifying the identification on a part and that it has not been tampered with (e.g. serial number stamped over, label or part/serial numbers improper or missing, etc.)

Through our experience, SEA feels that there are really only 2 reasons why a unit might not have dataplate:

1. Something caused the dataplate to be removed (i.e. age, heat, damage, etc.). This is not the common reason.
2. Someone does not want the unit to be identified for some reason (i.e. theft, misrepresentation, etc.)

Therefore, you should always be very inquisitive and suspicious when encountering a unit without a dataplate or one that has been altered in a way not authorized by the manufacturer.