Dates

Event

1957

Constructed as a C-130A.

1957

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 56-0540.

1 August 1980

Photographer: unknown

14 May 1990

Certificate of airworthiness for NX135FF (C-130A, 56-540) issued.

24 July 1990

To Aero Firefighting SVC Co Inc, Anaheim, CA with new c/r N135FF.

By October 1990

To Hemet Valley Flying Service keeping c/r N135FF.

Operated as fire service #82.

October 1990

Photographer: Tom Tessier
Notes: At Hemet-Ryan Airport, CA

1992

Photographer: Reinhard Zinabold
Notes: At Hemet Ryan Airport, Arizona (HMT), in summer 1992

13 August 1994

Crashed.
Summary: The airframe was destroyed. There were three fatalities. There were 20,300 hours on the airframe at the time. It was a local fire fighting flight from Hemet-Ryan Field, CA (HMT/KHMT), United States of America. The accident occurred at near Pearblossom, CA (United States of America) while maneuvering. Narrative: The Hercules was on its way to a forest fire in the Tehachipi Mountains when it lost control and crashed on the north face of Pleasant View Ridge in the vicinity of Pechner Canyon at about the 6,500 foot level...
For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.

13 August 1994

Crashed.
There were three fatalities. The accident occurred at Pearblossom, CA, United States while cruising. The airframe was destroyed. While in level flight, the airplanes right wing separated and, during the separation sequence, wing fuel ignited. Subsequent laboratory examination of right-side, center-wing fragments revealed two fatigue cracks that propagated to overstress fractures. One of the cracks was within the underside wing skin below a doubler and the other was within the doubler itself...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

27 December 2011

Civil registration, N135FF, cancelled.

1 January 2014

Certificate of airworthiness for NX135FF (C-130A, 56-540) issued.