Polivy v. Air One, Inc., No. Cv-94-0534828-S (Apr. 17, 1996)

1996 Conn. Super. Ct. 3567
CourtConnecticut Superior Court
DecidedApril 17, 1996
DocketNo. CV-94-0534828-S
StatusUnpublished

This text of 1996 Conn. Super. Ct. 3567 (Polivy v. Air One, Inc., No. Cv-94-0534828-S (Apr. 17, 1996)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Connecticut Superior Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Polivy v. Air One, Inc., No. Cv-94-0534828-S (Apr. 17, 1996), 1996 Conn. Super. Ct. 3567 (Colo. Ct. App. 1996).

Opinion

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This case is unpublished as indicated by the issuing court.]MEMORANDUM OF DECISION This action was commenced on February 14, 1994 by plaintiff Richard B. Polivy ("Polivy") by Writ of Replevin against Air One, Incorporated ("Air One") and Brainard Flight Services, Incorporated ("Brainard"). Polivy sought possession of a Rockwell Commander General Aviation Aircraft in which he claimed a security interest.

On March 28, 1994 Polivy amended his complaint by adding a claim for declaratory judgment pursuant to General Statutes § 52-29. He requested that the court decide whether he or CT Page 3568 defendant Air One held a superior secured right to the aircraft (Amended Complaint dated March 28, 1994).

On March 30, 1994 Arstol, Inc. ("Arstol") filed a motion to intervene and become a party to the action. Arstol claimed it had become a successor-in-interest to defendant Air One's security interest in the plane. Thus, as of March 30, 1994 both Polivy and Arstol claimed security interests in the aircraft. In early June 1994 Arstol filed an answer, special defenses, and a counter-claim.

In regard to the amended complaint defendants Air One and Arstol filed joint motions for summary judgment on September 30, 1994. Polivy filed a cross motion for partial summary judgment on November 10, 1994. In their motions Arstol and Polivy each argued that they had a superior security interest in the aircraft.

After hearing, the court (Sheldon, J.) determined that defendant Arstol's first-filed security interest was superior to the later-filed security interest of Polivy. (See memorandum of decision dated June 13, 1995). Judge Sheldon left Arstol's counterclaim to be determined at a later time. Thus, before this court is defendant Arstol's counterclaim dated June 6, 1994.

The first count of the counterclaim is in conversion. Arstol claims as follows:

"1. On or about March 1, 1993, the defendant Arstol, Inc., (hereafter Arstol), was an assignee of a note and security interest recorded with the Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Registry on March 15, 1993, Conveyance No. T43941.

"2. Said assignment was received from Capitol [sic] Assistant Corporation, (hereafter Capital). The original note was with Brainard Flight Services, Inc. (hereafter Brainard) from Air One.

"3. When Arstol became the assignee of said note and security interest, it notified the parties and demanded payment.

4. Brainard defaulted for failure to make payment upon CT Page 3569 demand.

"5. Thereafter, Arstol legally took possession of the aircraft and its component parts.

"6. The plaintiff, defendant in this action, personally, or through his agents, servants and/or employees, then, without legal means, took the aircraft from the possession of Arstol, Inc. and removed it to parts unknown.

"7. This action on the part of Arstol [sic] is a conversion of property belonging to Arstol to deprive Arstol the use of said aircraft and of the collateral secured therein and damaged Arstol.

"8. Despite demand, the plaintiff, defendant in this action, refused to return the vehicle. Arstol then requested an order from the Court returning the aircraft, which Order was issued by Judge Norris L. O'Neill on April 7, 1994."

The second count of the counterclaim alleges interference with contractual rights. Arstol claims as follows:

"1. Paragraphs 1 through 8 of the First Counterclaim are hereby incorporated and made paragraphs 1 through 8 of this Second Counterclaim.

"9. The action of the plaintiff, defendant in this action, in removing the plane from New Hampshire without knowledge or permission from Arstol, constituted an unlawful interference in the rights Arstol had in and to the aircraft, and deprived Arstol the rightful possession of the aircraft and its use.

"10. Arstol, deprived of the aircraft, caused Arstol to be damaged."

The third count of the counterclaim alleges negligence. Arstol claims as follows:

"1. Paragraphs 1 through 10 of the Second Counterclaim are hereby incorporated and made paragraphs 1 through 10 of this Third Counterclaim.

"11. On or about May 3, 1994, the plaintiff, defendant in CT Page 3570 this action, acting upon an Order of the Superior Court, (O'Neill, J.), by himself or his agents, servants and/or employees, was obligated to return the subject aircraft to Brainard.

"12. The plaintiff, defendant in this action, by himself or through his agents, servants and/or employees, flew the aircraft back to Brainard but did not notify any representative of Arstol that the aircraft was being returned.

"13. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the aircraft suffered extensive fire damage during flight and while in the care, custody and control of the plaintiff, defendant in this action.

"14. Said losses were caused by the carelessness and negligence of the plaintiff, defendant in this action, his agents, servants and/or employees, in one or more of the following ways:

a. in that the aircraft was not inspected prior to takeoff;

b. in that the aircraft was flown without the same being airworthy;

c. in that the conditions causing the fire were or should have been known to the plaintiff, defendant in this action, but he failed to reasonably notice the condition.

d. in that he flew the aircraft that was not reasonably, under the circumstances, flight ready;

e. in that he failed to notice the fire and take steps to stop it;

f. in that he knew or should have known that the aircraft could be damaged if flown in the condition it was in, yet he nevertheless flew the plane;

g. in that he failed to take reasonable and CT Page 3571 prudent steps to avoid the fire;

h. in that he knew or should have known that a fire would or could occur with the conditions existing on the aircraft, yet he failed to take steps to prevent the condition;

i. in that the aircraft was not reasonably safe;

j. in that he failed to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent pilot would have exercised.

"15. As a result of the carelessness and negligence of the plaintiff, defendant in this action, the aircraft caught on fire and was damaged."

A trial was held on September 13, 14 and November 15, 1995. The court finds the following facts:

On December 1, 1992 Air One loaned $65,000 and sold three aircraft to Brainard. One of the aircraft, a Rockwell Commander, is the aircraft in dispute in this action. Air One took back a note and a security agreement when it sold the three aircrafts to Brainard. The security agreement dated February 22, 1993 was recorded with the Federal Aviation Administration on March 15, 1993 (Exhibit 2).

On August 11, 1993 Brainard executed a promissory note in favor of Polivy in the original amount of $20,000. As security for this note Brainard executed an aircraft mortgage and a Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statement in favor of Polivy. The mortgage granted Polivy a lien on the Rockwell Commander aircraft. Polivy recorded the UCC Statement with the Connecticut Secretary of the State on October 8, 1993 and the mortgage with the FAA on October 28, 1993.

Prior to February 14, 1994 Brainard defaulted on its obligations to Polivy and Air One under the Polivy note and the Air One note.

Thereafter by complaint dated February 14, 1994 Polivy commenced this action against Air One and Brainard seeking to CT Page 3572 replevy the Commander in satisfaction of Brainard's unpaid debt on the Polivy note. The pleadings were returned to court on February 24, 1994.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Busker v. United Illuminating Co.
242 A.2d 708 (Supreme Court of Connecticut, 1968)
Devitt v. Manulik
410 A.2d 465 (Supreme Court of Connecticut, 1979)
Kecko Piping Co. v. Town of Monroe
374 A.2d 179 (Supreme Court of Connecticut, 1977)
Goldman v. Feinberg
37 A.2d 355 (Supreme Court of Connecticut, 1944)
Skene v. Carayanis
131 A. 497 (Supreme Court of Connecticut, 1926)
Sportsmen's Boating Corp. v. Hensley
474 A.2d 780 (Supreme Court of Connecticut, 1984)
Luciani v. Stop & Shop Companies, Inc.
544 A.2d 1238 (Connecticut Appellate Court, 1988)
Maroun v. Tarro
646 A.2d 251 (Connecticut Appellate Court, 1994)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
1996 Conn. Super. Ct. 3567, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/polivy-v-air-one-inc-no-cv-94-0534828-s-apr-17-1996-connsuperct-1996.