The U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear a challenge by Alaska bush pilot Kenneth Jouppi, who is contesting the state’s attempt to seize his 1969 Cessna airplane after an alcohol-related incident aboard the flight. According to reports, a passenger brought a six-pack of beer into a flight bound for a dry village, where alcohol is restricted. Jouppi disputes that he knew about the beer and argues that the government’s proposed forfeiture of his aircraft amounts to an unconstitutional penalty. His primary legal claim is that the seizure violates the Eighth Amendment’s “Excessive Fines Clause,” which limits the severity of fines and forfeitures imposed by the government. Jouppi contends that the forfeiture is not proportional to the gravity of the underlying conduct and asks the Court to clarify how the Eighth Amendment should apply to civil forfeitures involving property such as a vehicle or aircraft. Multiple outlets report the plane’s value at about $95,000, and describe the case as seeking guidance on whether an excessive-fines analysis must include proportionality.