Opinion ID: 769464
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Instruction on Ownership of Aircraft

Text: 41 The defendants contend that the district court erred in instructing the jury that transfer of ownership of an airplane occurs when a valid bill of sale is signed by the previous owner and possession is taken by the new owner. We review the district court's formulation of jury instructions for abuse of discretion. See United States v. Houser, 130 F.3d 867, 869 n.1 (9th Cir. 1997). 42 At trial, an attorney for the USDA, who was experienced with the Forest Service's transfer of aircraft, testified that to transfer title to an aircraft, a bill of sale must be executed. The defendants did not present any evidence to rebut this testimony. Furthermore, in Pacific Harbor Capital, Inc. v. USDA, 845 F. Supp. 1 (D.D.C. 1993), the USDA claimed title to two of the C-130s that had been transferred under one of the exchange agreements written by Fuchs. The court granted Pacific Harbor summary judgment because it could trace its title through bills of sale commencing with those that had been executed by Fuchs.The bills of sale were held to be conclusive evidence that a legitimate transfer of ownership of the airplanes occurred. See id. at 4. Therefore, the district court did not err in instructing the jury concerning the transfer of ownership of an airplane. 43 REVERSED.