Tanker 910 dropping it’s load over the Zaca Fire, July 2007.

It carries up to 12,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in an exterior belly-mounted tank, which can be released in eight seconds. The aircraft is currently registered as N450AX but was originally delivered to National Airlines in 1975, then subsequently flew for Pan Am, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Omni Air International before being converted for fire fighting purposes. It can apply a line of fire retardant 300 feet wide by 1 mile long.

Tanker 910 experienced its first serious incident on June 25, 2007. While fighting a fire near Tehachapi, California, the aircraft was in a left bank turning from base to final when it encountered severe turbulence and the left wing dropped. It struck several trees before the pilots were able to power out of it and make an emergency landing. An investigation showed that the aircraft suffered significant damage to the left wing.

Here’s a link to a video showing it fighting the Arrowhead Fire today: http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=170479

Pretty amazing
~Capt’n Chris

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