On 30 June 2015, a Lockheed KC-130B Hercules (registration number A-1310) operated to the Indonesian Air Force with 12 crew and 110 passengers on board, crashed near a residential neighbourhood shortly after taking off from Medan, Indonesia, en route to Tanjung Pinang.

[5][6][7] Shortly after the crash, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force grounded their entire C-130 fleet for inspection at Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport, from which the aircraft involved originated.

[8] The aircraft took off at 12:08 pm (05:08 UTC) from Soewondo Air Force Base, after refuelling and taking on passengers.

An eyewitness reported that after the aircraft rolled, it then clipped a radio tower belonging to Joy FM, dived toward the ground, and then exploded.

[26] The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) said that they would pay the insurance claims, which totaled Rp 2.25 trillion (roughly US$170 million).

[27] The aircraft was one of ten C-130Bs given to Indonesia by the United States in exchange for an imprisoned CIA pilot, captured during the 1957–1961 Sulawesi rebellion.

[29] In view of the aircraft's age, the crash sparked public outcry over the state of the Indonesian Air Force Hercules fleet.

However, Indonesian officials denied that the aircraft's age was a factor in the crash, and insisted it was in "good condition".

[30] On 3 July 2015, it was reported that the number four engine propeller had malfunctioned before the aircraft hit the tower, indicating a mechanical failure.

As a result, the Indonesian People's Representative Council advised that 'illegal towers' anywhere in Indonesia had to be removed, as they were "ugly" to the scenery and "dangerous" for safety.