Opinion ID: 1759354
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Alleged Breaches Occurring Prior to June 19, 1997, Accident

Text: Skyview asserts that Phipps breached the agreement prior to the termination by failing to correctly fill out various paperwork. Skyview claims there were problems with Phipps' logbooks and other paperwork in February and April 1997. However, Rickertsen testified that he discussed this issue with Phipps and that Phipps improved in this area. Further, Skyview had not received any fines as a result of the manner in which Phipps' logbooks were filled out. Skyview also claims Phipps materially breached the agreement by driving in excess of 70 hours in an 8-day period in February and May 1997. However, Skyview did not terminate the agreement upon discovery of this information in February and May 1997. Skyview's documentation indicates that Rickertsen discussed this concern with Phipps, and Phipps agreed to work on this problem. Skyview next claims that Phipps breached the agreement by violating paragraph 5.13, which prohibits drivers from carrying firearms in their trucks. However, Rickertsen testified that upon learning that Phipps had carried a firearm in his truck on one occasion, he simply told Phipps to leave the darned thing at home. Skyview did not terminate the contract at that time. Skyview did not terminate the contract upon the occurrence of any of these incidents. All of these alleged breaches occurred prior to the June 19, 1997, accident which resulted in Skyview's termination of the agreement. The record shows that what Skyview now claims are breaches of the agreement were handled, at the time they occurred, by simply discussing the issues with Phipps. Skyview's reactions to these alleged breaches support the trial court's finding that such problems were not considered by Skyview to constitute material breaches of the agreement. The trial court was not clearly erroneous in finding that Skyview's proffered reasons for terminating the agreement were pretextual.