Claim for the Loss of Personal Property While in Transit on Coast Guard Aircraft

A Coast Guard officer presented a claim for the loss of personal property while in transit on a Coast Guard aircraft. The officer had placed liquor intended for his personal use aboard the aircraft on which he was to fly from a temporary duty station to his permanent duty station. When he arrived at his destination, he could not locate the liquor. The certifying officer, to whom the claim was presented for payment, questioned the legality of the claim. It was held that the question of whether the officer could be reimbursed for his loss was for determination by the Coast Guard. However, the applicable statute provides that claims may be allowed only if possession of the property under the circumstances was reasonable, useful, or proper, and if the loss was not caused by the officer's negligence. Accordingly, if the statutory conditions were met, payment of the claim would be allowed.