Pilot Plane Seizure Case
Court reviews whether Alaska can confiscate a pilot's plane over a passenger's beer.
July 20, 2026 · Updated Jul 20, 7:51pm ET
CNNSupreme Court to hear from Alaskan bush pilot whose plane was confiscated over a six-pack of beer
Associated PressAlaska wants to seize a pilot's plane over a 6-pack of beer. The Supreme Court will hear his case
New York PostAlaska wants to seize pilot’s plane over 6-pack of beer. The case is heading to the Supreme Court
ABC NewsAlaska wants to seize pilot's plane over a 6-pack. Supreme Court will hear his case
FOX NewsOne six-pack of beer could significantly alter how the Constitution regulates law enforcement
FortuneA passenger brought a 6-pack of beer on an Alaskan pilot's plane. He now has to defend his plane's seizure in front of the Supreme Court
Washington ExaminerSupreme Court to review legality of Alaska taking plane over six-pack of beer
14%
Left · 1
43%
Center · 3
43%
Right · 3
Pano rates the coverage Balanced.
What happened
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear Kenneth Jouppi’s challenge to Alaska’s attempt to seize his $95,000 airplane after a passenger brought a six-pack of beer on a flight to a dry village. Jouppi, an 82-year-old Alaska bush pilot, was convicted of an alcohol-related misdemeanor after the 2012 trip. The Alaska Supreme CourtAlaska Supreme Courtthe highest court in the U.S. state of Alaska allowed the forfeiture case to proceed. The case asks whether taking the plane would violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on excessive fines and could affect state and local asset-forfeiture powers.
