Opinion ID: 2120575
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Hoskopoulus Plane

Text: Omni next contends that the circuit court erroneously awarded Cessna N731SS to 3D and further erred in finding that Cessna N60711, which was originally delivered to 3D, was Omni's plane. Omni contends that it was undisputed that Cessna N60711, although it was registered to Omni, was owned by Ethymils Hoskopoulus. The crux of Omni's argument is that the circuit court does not have the power to award a plane that has been junked and sold for parts and that is owned by another person (Hoskopoulus) who is not a party to the lawsuit. In its order of contempt, the circuit court made the following finding with respect to the Cessna N731SS: 5. That 3D is hereby awarded immediate possession of aircraft described as N731SS Serial # 18803124T in the possession of Omni because such aircraft is the property of 3D that is described as aircraft # 3 on Exhibit A to the Order of Delivery and Omni is directed to immediately deliver the same to 3D. That Omni is awarded immediate possession of aircraft with current substituted N number 60711 because such aircraft is not the property of 3D less the engine and propeller thereon that is the property of 3D. The circuit court's conclusion is based on the fact that the data plates on the two planes were switched. This court, of course, reviews a circuit court's finding of fact following a bench trial under a clearly-erroneous standard. See Burke v. Elmore, 341 Ark. 129, 14 S.W.3d 872 (2000). The testimony of Patrick Lackey, a former pilot for Omni, revealed that during one season of his employment, he flew an aircraft identified as the Cessna N60711. He testified that another employee, Larry Gandy, flew the plane that was owned by Hoskopoulos. Lackey further testified that he was familiar with the interior of the Hoskopoulos plane. He added that the interior of the plane now numbered N60711 and impounded by the court was quite different from when he had flown it, and, in fact, was more similar to the interior of the Hoskopoulos plane that Larry Gandy flew. He stated that as a pilot that flew the Cessna N60711, the plane he examined in the hangar, which was identified by that number, was not N60711. Glenn Voros, who performed the aircraft audit for 3D, also testified that he found a certificate of aircraft registration for Cessna N731SS in the belly of the plane now sporting an identification number of N60711. Based on this evidence presented to the trial court, we cannot say that the circuit court clearly erred in concluding that the plane marked N731SS was, in reality, N60711, which belonged to 3D. Accordingly, we affirm the court's order directing that 3D's property be returned to it.