In 1983 a small regional aircraft company called Wings West started up in California with a fleet of Beech C99s and later with new Metros from Fairchild Aircraft. Wings West then acquired the AC-430B, built in 1981, from First Aircraft Leasing who had bought the aircraft from the bank after the Fairchild distributor had failed to make payment after only 200 hours flight time. Fairchild agreed to provide warranty for the craft as new and it stayed with Wings West for about 12 years. During this time the company grew, bought another 47 Metros for passenger service and became a franchisee of American Airlines. The AC-430B was then bought by cargo operator and UPS affiliate Merlin Express, who converted it for cargo transport.

When the aircraft was bought by Vernicos Aviation S.A. it was still owned by First Aircraft Leasing and because of the relationship of the company with the manufacturer Fairchild, the AC-430B received first class maintenance, while special modifications were made to it usually only available on later models such as the SA-227.