757BD LLC v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA

330 F. Supp. 3d 1143
CourtDistrict Court, D. Arizona
DecidedAugust 23, 2018
DocketNo. CV-14-01312-PHX-DJH
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 330 F. Supp. 3d 1143 (757BD LLC v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Arizona primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
757BD LLC v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA, 330 F. Supp. 3d 1143 (D. Ariz. 2018).

Opinion

Honorable Diane J. Humetewa, United States District Judge

This insurance coverage dispute is before the Court on cross-motions for summary judgment. Plaintiff, 757BD LLC ("757BD"), has moved for summary judgment, arguing that Defendant, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh ("National"), breached its contractual duty to defend and indemnify its insured, Aero Jet Services, LLC ("Aero Jet"), in connection with a lawsuit by 757BD against Aero Jet. (Doc. 60). National has cross-moved for summary judgment/partial summary judgment, arguing that it had no obligation to defend or indemnify Aero Jet on the claims against it by 757BD. (Doc. 62). Each party has filed separate statements of facts supporting their Motions (Docs. 61 and 63) and controverting statements of facts in response to the opposing party's facts. (Docs. 67 and 69). National filed a Response in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion and a Reply in Support of its Motion. (Docs. 68 and 73). 757BD filed a Response to Defendant's Motion and a Reply Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion. (Docs. 66 and 72).1

This Court now denies 757BD's Motion for Summary Judgment and grants National's Motion for Summary Judgment.

I. Background

The issue in this case arises out of a January 11, 2005, Aircraft Purchase Agreement for a 1989 Astra Jet aircraft. (Doc. 61 ¶ 3; Doc. 69 ¶ 3; Doc. 61-3). Plaintiff 757BD was the purchaser and non-party Brett Jet, LLC ("Brett Jet") was the seller. (Doc. 61 ¶ 3; Doc. 69 ¶ 3). Aero Jet is a company that "manages, maintains and operates aircraft owned by other[s]." (Doc. 61 ¶ 5; Doc. 69 ¶ 5). Defendant National issued two Gold Medallion Comprehensive Business Aircraft insurance policies *1146to Aero Jet. (Doc. 61 ¶¶ 1, 2; Doc. 69 ¶¶ 1, 2; Doc. 61-1; Doc. 61-2). Plaintiff 757BD seeks insurance coverage from National for its claims against Aero Jet. (Doc. 1-1).

A. Aircraft Purchase and Corrosion Discovery

Pursuant to a January 11, 2005, Aircraft Purchase Agreement, Plaintiff 757BD agreed to purchase, and Brett Jet agreed to sell, a 1989 Astra Jet Aircraft (the "Aircraft"). The Aircraft Purchase Agreement was "subject to an Inspection and test flight of the aircraft to occur on or before January 21, 2005." (Doc. 61-3, Article 3). Following the test flight, 757BD was to "either reject the condition of the Aircraft or accept the condition of the Aircraft." (Id. ) Plaintiff states that, on or around January 17, 2005, "before 757BD took delivery of the Aircraft," an Aero Jet mechanic "looked at and reviewed the Aircraft for and on behalf of 757BD." (Doc. 61 ¶ 6).

On January 21, 2005, 757BD and Aero Jet entered into a Management Services Agreement under which Aero Jet would provide services, including maintenance services for the Aircraft, to 757BD. (Doc. 61 ¶¶ 9, 10; Doc. 69 ¶¶ 9, 10). The Aircraft was delivered to Aero Jet's facilities that same day, January 21, 2005. (Doc. 61 ¶ 8; Doc. 69 ¶ 8).

....

On November 1, 2005, during a routine inspection, Aero Jet discovered bubbling paint on the Aircraft's wing surfaces. (Doc. 61 ¶ 12; Doc. 69 ¶ 12). Based on the bubbling paint, Aero Jet informed 757BD that there was corrosion on the Aircraft and that inspection was needed. (Doc. 61 ¶ 13; Doc. 69 ¶ 13). The corrosion was found to have damaged the wing panels by consuming the metal and by compromising the Aircraft's structural integrity. (Doc. 61 ¶ 20; Doc. 69 ¶ 20). Expert analysis suggested that the corrosion was caused by "exposure to chloride-based paint stripper when the Aircraft was repainted in 2002 by Duncan Aviation." (Doc. 61 ¶ 18; Doc. 69 ¶ 18). 757BD alleges that repair and maintenance costs in connection with the Aircraft were $865,935.86 and that it "lost income and incurred other damages as a result of the loss of use of the Aircraft while repairs were being made." (Doc. 61 ¶¶ 21, 22).

B. The Insurance Contract

National, as insurer, issued to Aero Jet, as insured, two Gold Medallion Comprehensive Business Aircraft policies. (Doc. 61-1; Doc. 61-2). The first policy, GM 1853858-01, was effective from January 30, 2005, through April 30, 2006. (Doc. 63 ¶ 35; Doc. 67 ¶ 35). The second policy, GM 1853858-02, was effective from April 30, 2006, through April 30, 2007. (Id. ) The Aircraft was considered a "scheduled" aircraft under both policies. (Doc. 63 ¶¶ 36, 37; Doc. 67 ¶¶ 36, 37).

Both policies, under "Coverage A - Liability for Scheduled Aircraft," state:

The Company will promptly pay on behalf of the insured all sums which the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of bodily injury and property damage caused by an occurrence during the policy period arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a scheduled aircraft.

(Doc. 63 ¶ 38; Doc. 67 ¶ 38; Doc. 61-1 at 9).

Both policies' relevant definitions state:

"Property Damage" means accidental damage to or destruction of the tangible property of others caused by an occurrence during the policy period and the resultant loss of use of the property. Property damage also includes the loss of use of the tangible property of others that is not physically damaged but that is caused by an occurrence during the policy period.

*1147(Doc. 63 ¶ 39; Doc. 67 ¶ 39; Doc. 61-1 at 21).

"Occurrence" means an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to conditions, which results in bodily injury or property damage neither expected nor intended by the insured. However, the definition will include bodily injury or property damage resulting from the efforts to prevent dangerous interference with any covered aircraft operations.

(Doc. 63 ¶ 40; Doc. 67 ¶ 40; 61-1 at 20).

C. Superior Court Litigation

On May 30, 2008, 757BD brought suit in Maricopa County Superior Court against Duncan Aviation, Brett Jet, and Aero Jet (the "Underlying Action"). (Doc. 61-5 at 45). Brett Jet was dismissed from the Underlying Action based on lack of personal jurisdiction. (Doc. 63 ¶ 45; Doc. 67 ¶ 45). Duncan was dismissed from the Underlying Action pursuant to a $225,000 settlement agreement. (Doc. 63 ¶¶ 46, 47; Doc. 67 ¶¶ 46, 47).

Claims against Aero Jet included Count VI for Breach of Contract; Count VII for Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing; Count VIII for Breach of Fiduciary Duty; and Count IX for Fraud, Misrepresentation, and/or Negligent Misrepresentation. (Doc. 61-5 at 52-54). Count VIII for Breach of Fiduciary Duty focused on Aero Jet's alleged actions as the broker of the sale of the Aircraft; specifically, it alleged:

65. Defendant Aero Jet brokered the sale between Plaintiff 757BD and Defendant Brett Jet.
66. As the broker, Defendant Aero Jet owed a fiduciary obligation to obtain and disclose all material information to Plaintiff 757BD.
67. Defendant Aero Jet was aware of the repairs and paint job performed by Defendant Duncan and knew or should have known of the Aircraft's true condition.
68. Defendant Aero Jet failed to provide such material information to Plaintiff 757BD.
69.

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Bluebook (online)
330 F. Supp. 3d 1143, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/757bd-llc-v-natl-union-fire-ins-co-of-pittsburgh-pa-azd-2018.