I don't know anything about this claim other than what I saw on the web, but I am an aviation adjuster and what Clipstone1 says sounds probably closest to the truth. When a total loss occurs, the insurance company will pay the insured what the insured value is and take possession of the salvage. Then they will turn around and sell it to recoup some money on it. Many times the insured says "hey sell it back to me because I want the parts", so basically the insurance company "sells" it back to the insured by subtracting the salvage value from the total loss settlement, and the insured just keeps the salvage. That way there is less paperwork on the insurance company's side, and they wash their hands of it. Then it's up to the insured to do whatever they want with it. Again, I'm not sure that this is exactly what happened in this case, so that will be all for Aviation Insurance Salvage 101.