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Case Citation
Legal Case Name

Lewistown Propane Co. v. Ford Case Brief

Montana Supreme Court2002Docket #865916
2002 MT 27 42 P.3d 229 308 Mont. 243 2002 Mont. LEXIS 57

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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

General Brief
3 min read

tl;dr: A judgment creditor levied on an aircraft still registered to the debtor, despite an unrecorded prior sale to a third party. The court held the creditor’s levy valid due to the failure to federally record the aircraft transfer.

Legal Significance: This case underscores that an unrecorded conveyance of an aircraft is ineffective against a subsequent judgment creditor who relies on federal FAA registration records, prioritizing the creditor’s lien.

Lewistown Propane Co. v. Ford Law School Study Guide

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Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

Lewistown Propane Company obtained a judgment against Tom Ford after Ford defaulted on a promissory note. Prior to judgment, Ford sold a Piper aircraft to Raymond Becky, but this transfer was not recorded with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the State of Montana. Ford retained possession of the aircraft. Lewistown Propane, relying on FAA records showing Ford as the owner and no existing liens, obtained a writ of execution and levied on the aircraft. Becky intervened, claiming ownership and seeking to prevent the execution sale. The District Court granted Becky’s motion, permanently restraining Lewistown Propane from executing on the aircraft. Lewistown Propane appealed, arguing its right as a judgment creditor to rely on the FAA records. The core dispute centered on whether the unrecorded sale to Becky divested Ford of any interest to which Lewistown Propane’s judgment lien could attach.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: Did the District Court err in ruling that a judgment creditor has no lienable interest in an aircraft when the judgment debtor conveyed the aircraft to a third party prior to judgment, but the conveyance was not registered with the Federal Aviation Administration?

Yes, the District Court erred. A judgment creditor is entitled to rely Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Dui

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IRAC Legal Analysis

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IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.

Legal Issue

Did the District Court err in ruling that a judgment creditor has no lienable interest in an aircraft when the judgment debtor conveyed the aircraft to a third party prior to judgment, but the conveyance was not registered with the Federal Aviation Administration?

Conclusion

This case establishes that failure to comply with federal aircraft registration requirements Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehender

Legal Rule

Under § 503(c) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as interpreted Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dol

Legal Analysis

The Montana Supreme Court, referencing *Philko Aviation, Inc. v. Shacket*, emphasized that Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adip

Flash-to-Full Case Opinions

Flash Summary

  • A judgment creditor’s lien on an aircraft has priority over a
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fu

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