{"id":46511,"date":"2018-12-05T23:03:34","date_gmt":"2018-12-05T23:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/12\/05\/investigation-blames-air-force-and-navy-for-systemic-failures-in-fatal-marine-corps-c-130-crash-that-killed-16\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:24:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:24:10","slug":"investigation-blames-air-force-and-navy-for-systemic-failures-in-fatal-marine-corps-c-130-crash-that-killed-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2018\/12\/05\/investigation-blames-air-force-and-navy-for-systemic-failures-in-fatal-marine-corps-c-130-crash-that-killed-16\/","title":{"rendered":"Investigation blames Air Force and Navy for systemic failures in fatal Marine Corps C-130 crash that killed 16"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-smg-jwplayer-video\"><atype-video-jwplayer nostick=\"true\" playlisturl=\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/v2\/playlists\/fCzRqMW8?tags=09eb2fed-fc72-432c-9289-7a1ea9b267c0\" poster=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/video-poster-09eb2fed-fc72-432c-9289-7a1ea9b267c0.jpg\" aspectratio=\"16 \/ 9\" mute autostart=\"false\"><\/atype-video-jwplayer><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">After an extensive investigation, the cause of a 2017 KC-130T crash that killed 15 Marines and 1 sailor has been revealed. Jeff Martin walks us through the accident&#8211;and what caused it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The horrific KC-130T <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/2017\/07\/11\/16-dead-after-marine-corps-kc-130-plane-from-cherry-point-crashes-in-mississippi\/\" target=_blank>plane crash<\/a> that killed 15 Marines and a sailor last summer was caused by a deteriorating propeller blade that was corroded when it entered an Air Force maintenance depot in 2011, but workers there failed to fix it and sent it back to the fleet unrepaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This neglect allowed a routine corrosion problem to metastasize into a crack that went undetected for years until a mundane cross-country transport mission <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marinecorpstimes.com\/2017\/07\/11\/15-marines-one-sailor-killed-in-the-corps-deadliest-crash-in-more-than-a-decade\/\" target=_blank>ended in flames<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On July 10, 2017, that worn-down blade finally failed and came loose from the propeller 20,000 feet above Mississippi farmland, as the Marine Corps Reserve plane was en route to California under the call sign \u201cYanky 72.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It shot into the side of the aging aircraft, one of the last 130Ts still flying, a model set to be retired in the next few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The blade\u2019s impact set off a cataclysm that killed everyone on board and left the aircraft in three pieces, creating inconsolable heartache for 16 military families and an inferno of wreckage scattered for miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These revelations \u2014 along with the systemic failures in the military\u2019s aviation maintenance system that led to the loss \u2014 are outlined in a <a href=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/static.militarytimes.com\/assets\/public-release-command-investigation-report-yanky-72-redacted.pdf\" target=_blank>Marine Corps investigation<\/a> into last summer\u2019s crash that was obtained by Defense News and Military Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigation\u2019s report and nearly 2,000 pages of supplementary records portray an endemic level of neglect by the Air Force, which maintains C-130 propeller blades for the Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link smg-interstitial-link--fallback wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/static.militarytimes.com\/assets\/public-release-command-investigation-report-yanky-72-redacted.pdf\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__fallback-link\">Read the Marine Corps&#039; report on the KC-130T crash that killed 16 last summer<\/a><\/aside>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to the Air Force depot\u2019s failure to fix the faulty blade, investigators also found the Navy did not ensure the work was done properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Investigators also questioned the work of maintainers in Marine Refueler Transport Squadron 452 but did not blame those Marines for the blade\u2019s deterioration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regardless of which entities are responsible, the mishap highlights a growing number of aviation-related accidents and fatalities across the military, which critics say have grown to a crisis level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exact maintenance failures that took place at Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex back in 2011, and who was responsible, will likely never be known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before the crash, it was Air Force policy to throw out such maintenance records after two years, according to the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Air Force brass insist that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/12\/05\/poor-maintenance-contributed-to-a-devastating-c-130-crash-heres-how-the-air-force-will-make-sure-it-doesnt-happen-again\/\" target=\"_blank\">reforms are in the works<\/a> to prevent another such tragedy and re-instill faith in those who fly in the C-130.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"947\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_17192463913741.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_17192463913741.jpg.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_17192463913741.jpg.jpg?resize=300,189 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_17192463913741.jpg.jpg?resize=768,485 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_17192463913741.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,646 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this Monday, July 10, 2017, frame from video, smoke and flames rise from a military plane that crashed in a farm field, in Itta Bena, Miss., killing several. (WLBT-TV via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen we learned that work done at Warner Robins could have contributed to this mishap, our team was crushed,\u201d said Air Force Brig Gen. John Kubinec, the complex\u2019s current commander, in a recent interview. \u201cWe are committed to do everything that we possibly can to ensure something like this doesn\u2019t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After coming off the second propeller, the cracked blade sliced through the port side of the aircraft and lodged into the interior of the right side of the plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Energy reverberated through the aircraft, causing the third propeller to detach and slam into the starboard horizontal stabilizer, knocking most of the stabilizer off, investigators wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis impact caused the skin of the aircraft to separate along the starboard side,\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then the aircraft broke into three sections: the cockpit, the rear fuselage, and the compartment where passengers were seated, \u201cwhich explosively disintegrated into multiple pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5760\" height=\"3840\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3710002.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36205\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3710002.jpg.jpg 5760w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3710002.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3710002.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3710002.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3710002.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3710002.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5760px) 100vw, 5760px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An audience waits for the invocation of a memorial ceremony to honor nine U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452,  at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, Aug. 27, 2017. The memorial was held to honor the lives of nine VMGR-452 Marines who perished in a KC-130T accident that killed 15 Marines and one Sailor, July 10, 2017. (Cpl. Dallas Johnson\/U.S. Marine Corps)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone on board \u2014 the pilots, the aircrew and the passengers \u2014 were killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are Marine Cpl. Daniel Baldassare, Cpl. Collin Schaaff, Sgt. Dietrich Schmieman, Sgt. Joseph Murray, Sgt. Chad Jenson, Sgt. Owen Lennon, Sgt. Julian Kevianne, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Lohrey, Marine Sgt. Talon Leach, Staff Sgt. Robert Cox, Staff Sgt. William Kundrat, Staff Sgt. Joshua Snowden, Gunnery Sgt. Brendan Johnson, Gunnery Sgt. Mark Hopkins, Capt. Sean Elliott and Maj. Caine Goyette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 4th Marine Air Wing probe suggests they did not suffer for long, nor could they do anything as the 25-year-old plane came apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They suffered shock, disorientation and \u201crapid onset of below freezing conditions and near impossible crew communication.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDue to the rapid onset of the catastrophic sequence of events and the instantaneous structural failures, it is unlikely that the aircrew had time\u2026to change the final outcome,\u201d the investigator wrote. \u201cNeither the aircrew nor anybody aboard the KC-130T could have prevented or altered the ultimate outcome after such a failure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Debris was scattered for miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/military-honor\/2018\/07\/14\/one-year-after-deadly-kc130t-mississippi-crash-victims-are-remembered-with-new-memorial-near-the-site\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KC-130T.png.png?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">1 year after deadly KC\u2212130T crash, victims are remembered with memorial near Mississippi site<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Families and friends are gathering in Itta Bena, Mississippi, about six miles from the crash site, to unveil a monument to the victims.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yanky 72 was transferring troops, ammo and vehicles for 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, and all weapons were found except for a Glock-19 pistol, according to the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The crash investigation suggests deficient blades were sent out to Navy and Marine Corps aircraft for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNegligent practices, poor procedural compliance, lack of adherence to publications, an ineffective (quality control and quality assurance) program at (Warner Robins), and insufficient oversight by the (U.S. Navy) resulted in deficient blades being released to the fleet for use on Navy and Marine Corps aircraft from before 2011 up until the recent blade overhaul suspension,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2018\/12\/05\/poor-maintenance-contributed-to-a-devastating-c-130-crash-heres-how-the-air-force-will-make-sure-it-doesnt-happen-again\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/4948260.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Poor maintenance contributed to a devastating C-130 crash. Here\u2019s how the Air Force will make sure it doesn\u2019t happen again.<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">How did a corroded KC-130T blade escape the Air Force&#039;s quality control apparatus?<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response to the crash and a closer inspection of the Warner Robins facility, the Air Force halted blade maintenance operations on Sept. 2, 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All Navy and Marine Corps C-130s were grounded after the crash, and all 43 aircraft have or will receive new propellers, according to officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Air Force Materiel Command spokeswoman Wendy Varhegyi said a review of more than 1,300 C-130H propeller blades has found three with the type of minor corrosion that is consistent with any fielded blade.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2018\/04\/26\/most-navy-c-130s-remain-grounded-nearly-one-year-after-fatal-crash\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KC-130T.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Most Navy C-130s remain grounded nearly one year after fatal crash<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">A propeller problem was discovered after the fleet was grounded following the July 10 Marine Reserve KC-130T crash that killed 16 troops.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Naval Air Systems Command spokesman Greg Kuntz said all propellers were removed from the Navy\u2019s C-130 fleet after the crash \u201cto address a subset of propeller blades that potentially had corrosive conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOut of an abundance of caution, every potentially affected propeller was slated to be overhauled and replaced,\u201d Kuntz said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New propellers are being installed on the fleet and old ones will start being overhauled again once the Warner Robins reforms are in place, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kuntz said the Navy had not assessed whether those removed propellers suffered the same disrepair that brought down Yanky 72.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI cannot speak to a hypothetical number of how many props may have had the same defects identified in the one involved in the mishap,\u201d he said in an email. \u201cThe Navy took the precaution to treat every propeller that was identified in the engineering review as a potential problem and chose to replace them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>What happened at Warner Robins<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.airforcetimes.com\/news\/your-air-force\/2018\/02\/18\/work-on-navy-and-marine-c-130s-expected-to-bring-400-jobs-to-robins-air-force-base\/\" target=\"_blank\">Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex <\/a>overhauled propellers for all variants of Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps C-130 Hercules, which are manufactured by Lockheed Martin using propeller blades by United Technologies Corp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The complex has averaged 400 C-130 props per year over the past decade, with Navy props comprising five percent of that workload, according to the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2018\/08\/15\/robins-air-force-base-plans-to-add-1200-jobs\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/130915-F-VM122-1758.JPG.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Robins Air Force base plans to add 1,200 jobs<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The U.S. Air Force says it wants to add 1,200 jobs within the next year at its sprawling base in central Georgia.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The work is performed by civilian employees, who overhaul propellers after 5,000 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The corroded propeller blade that set off the mishap last went through overhaul in 2011, according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although processes existed for the civilian maintainers at Warner Robins to identify and fix such corrosion, investigators found no evidence that such measures were taken in 2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe intergranular radial crack in blade four, which ultimately was the root cause of this catastrophic mishap, developed and matured from corrosion pitting and (intergranular cracking) that was not removed during the last blade overhaul,\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was not the only deteriorated blade flying with Yanky 72 that day, according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Twelve of the 16 blades on the four-propeller plane suffered from corrosion that was present the last time they each passed through Warner Robins, \u201cproving that over the course of a number of years\u2026[Warner Robins] failed to detect, remove and repair corrosion infected blades they purported to have overhauled,\u201d the investigation states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One prop blade on Yanky 72 was supposed to have been removed from service by Warner Robins workers during its last overhaul in 2015, the report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5520\" height=\"3680\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2687526.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-80799\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2687526.jpg.jpg 5520w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2687526.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2687526.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2687526.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2687526.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2687526.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5520px) 100vw, 5520px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Steven Vann, 572nd Commodities Maintenance Squadron aircraft propeller mechanic, tightens barrel bolts on a C-130 propeller prior to testing. Propellers make their way through five gates, or work processes, at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex. (Tommie Horton\/U.S. Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigation found that anodize coating was applied to the areas of the fatal propeller blade affected by corrosion pitting, even though that protective coating is meant to be applied only after corrosion has been removed from the blade, according to the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPresence of anodize in the corrosion pits and (intergranular cracking) proves the corrosion was present and not removed at the last overhaul in August of 2011,\u201d the investigation states. \u201cIf corrosion is detected on the blade, all corrosion should be removed or the blade should be condemned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other corrosion-preventing material required by the Navy at the time \u2014 such as permatreat coating or epoxy primer \u2014 was also not applied, the report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And because Warner Robins destroyed its work documents after two years, the investigation could not prove whether the organization had properly tested the blade for corrosion damage using a Navy-specific processes involving a borescope or eddy current inspection that would help detect flaws beneath the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSince only approximately five percent of C-130 blades are a Navy\/Marine Corps asset, it is uncertain whether sufficient steps are embedded in the work flow process to ensure that Navy\/Marine Corps critical requirements, such as borescope inspections and permatreat\/epoxy primer coatings, are satisfied,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Navy team visited Warner Robins for a two-day process audit in August 2017 and noted several problems, many of which could result in Navy and Marine Corps components being separated from their paperwork \u2014 raising the potential that Navy-specific practices were not followed.<del>.<\/del><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhile some differences (among the services\u2019 maintenance processes) can be expected, common processes will yield consistent results,\u201d the auditors wrote. \u201cThe biggest concern is that differences can lead to missed or incorrectly applied repairs. Action should be taken by NAVY\/AF to standardize the process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They found that propeller work control documents are color-coded for each service and aircraft, but that many of the documents did not reflect the proper color paper for each service, and that such records weren\u2019t accompanying the blades through the overhaul process.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/breaking-news\/2017\/07\/27\/marine-corps-kc-130ts-grounded-until-further-notice\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1873168.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Marine Corps KC-130Ts grounded until further notice<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The Marine Corps has grounded its fleet of KC-130Ts \u201cout of an abundance of caution\u201d following the events of the deadly crash earlier this month, the service has confirmed to Defense News.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe work control documents were consistently difficult to locate on the production line,\u201d the report states. \u201cSince (Warner Robins) does not comply with their own color-coding systems in order to help differentiate the service-specific blade overhaul process requirements, the system is unreliable and increases the probability of error within the process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another summary included in the report\u2019s supplementals states that Warner Robins employees have trouble identifying whether a given prop is for an Air Force or Navy C-130, even though work documents say, \u201cAIR FORCE BLADE,\u201d \u201cNAVY BLADE\u201d or \u201cP-3 BLADE\u201d in large letters, they wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis could be an effort to limit liability to [Warner Robins] by attempting to find a causal factor that moves the blame away from this institution for missing the corrosion pits and intergranular cracking at the last propeller overhaul,\u201d a visit summary states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warner Robins depot staff use electronic copies of instructions with specific guidance for each job, known as \u201cpubs,&#8221; throughout the shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet while maintainers had laptops on hand with the required instructions up, it was \u201cnever referenced during process execution or during pre or post-process discussions,\u201d according to a summary of the two-day Navy process audit conducted last summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSome technicians relied strongly on their memory, it appeared, rather than a steady referral back to the instructions,\u201d auditors wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One technician cited the wrong technical information to the audit team when queried and auditors found an outdated publication being used on one job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Navy\u2019s audit team also took issue with the facility\u2019s quality assurance program, which involves random checks of artisan work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it occurs, quality assurance involved the artisan checking their own work and then another person with no formal quality assurance training acting as a second set of eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If an artisan does a bad job, there are no real consequences, according to the Navy auditors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Artisan may have to suffer a little bit of embarrassment, but that Artisan then gets to go back through training; which is essentially a vacation\/break away from his job,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earlier this year, a Marine lieutenant colonel leading the crash investigation for the 4th Marine Air Wing whose name is redacted in the report took his team to Warner Robins at the invitation of the complex\u2019s commander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigative team saw no protocols to ensure work orders accompanied their blades through the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDuring the investigation, work orders were difficult to find on many occasions,\u201d the memo states. \u201cThis carefree attitude towards the tracking of these documents and uncertain understanding of where they all are is concerning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team also found that Warner Robins \u201ccould not consistently produce associated color paper, designed and implemented by (Warner Robins) Quality Control, to help artisans differentiate between Air Force, Navy\/USMC and P-3 blades.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This allowed uncertainty to enter the process, the investigator wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3000\" height=\"1612\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635525254787571887-afghanistan-marines-smaljpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635525254787571887-afghanistan-marines-smaljpg.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635525254787571887-afghanistan-marines-smaljpg.jpg?resize=300,161 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635525254787571887-afghanistan-marines-smaljpg.jpg?resize=768,413 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635525254787571887-afghanistan-marines-smaljpg.jpg?resize=1024,550 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635525254787571887-afghanistan-marines-smaljpg.jpg?resize=1536,825 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635525254787571887-afghanistan-marines-smaljpg.jpg?resize=2048,1100 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3000px) 100vw, 3000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This handout photo provided Defense Department shows Marines and sailors with Marine Expeditionary Brigade \u0096 Afghanistan load onto a KC-130 aircraft on the Camp Bastion, Afghanistan flightline, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014. The handover of the U.S. Marines&#8217; main base to Afghan control in the hardscrabble Helmand province is more than a signal that America\u0092s longest war is ending. It is a reminder of the enormous loss and sacrifice by Marines who swept in as part of President Barack Obama\u0092s surge of forces against a resurgent Taliban in 2009.  (AP Photo\/Staff Sgt. John Jackson, Defense Department, US Marines) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf technicians were not carefully reading the work control documents, they could misconstrue the blade process they were required to perform due to the wrong color coding,\u201d the memorandum states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That memo also chides the facility for a blade overhaul process that \u201cdid not follow a logical, organized efficient path throughout the facility, which would clearly increase efficiency and reduce the probability that overhaul production steps be missed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kubinec, the complex\u2019s commander, said it will start overhauling blades again by next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An independent review team comprised of Navy and Air Force officials, as well as industry partners, are reforming the prop blade overhaul process at Warner Robins, which will primarily entail creating a uniform approach to overhauling Navy and Air Force blades, the report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the independent review team has no chain of command, which raises questions about implementation, reporting requirements or final consensus, the Marine investigator wrote earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe unique requirements in each publication for different branches of service is a critical issue that must be resolved immediately,\u201d the investigator wrote. \u201cWhile this effort is applauded, the overall outcome is still uncertain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of the memo\u2019s writing, the Navy had not outlined an evaluation process to ensure quality propellers are returned to the fleet, the investigator wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNor is there sufficient oversight by non [Warner Robins] personnel to ensure compliance with all policies, procedures and publications,\u201d the memo states. \u201cDue to the differences in the maintenance organizational structures between the AF and Navy, specifically quality assurance, the significance of resolving disparities of potential misunderstandings is critical.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigator also said that Warner Robins had \u201cfailed to show significant process improvements\u201d noted by the Navy\u2019s initial August 2017 audit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is concerning considering the same procedural and quality control errors that allowed the (blade) and countless other propellers to erroneously enter the fleet could still exist,\u201d the investigator wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Where was the Navy?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the investigation found several deficiencies in Warner Robins\u2019 blade overhaul processes, it also lays blame at the feet of the Navy for not carrying out its oversight responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the terms of a 2009 agreement between the Navy and Air Force, which sets up the complex\u2019s obligations for C-130 propeller overhauls for other services, the Navy should have conducted periodic audits of the Warner Robins\u2019 work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It never did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither the Navy nor the Air Force \u201cis able to produce any evidence that either a quality audit or investigation has ever occurred, nor requested\u201d since the agreement\u2019s inception, the report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHad the (quality assurance) provisions of the (Navy-Air Force agreement) been properly managed and implemented by the Navy via conducting systematic and routine quality audits, numerous deficiencies within the blade overhaul process should have been identified which could have prevented the accident,&#8221; investigators wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While a Naval Air Systems Command, or NAVAIR, liaison is stationed at the Warner Robins facility, the complex\u2019s senior leadership \u201chad no memory or record of USN visits to (Warner Robins) historically,\u201d the Marine investigator wrote in April\u2019s memorandum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt was also clear from discussions during our site visit that proper procedures were not utilized to coordinate inspections, audits or visits,\u201d the officer wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Air Force-Navy agreement for prop maintenance lists several oversight options, but the only office at the complex who understood the contract between the services was the business branch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis also includes the NAVAIR liaison who is stationed\u201d at the complex, the officer wrote. \u201cThere is no history of an official quality audit or quality investigation being conducted by Navy FST personnel to ensure compliance with policies, procedures and publications.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Problems at the squadron level<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigation also uncovered a multitude of lapses during squadron-level maintenance performed by VMGR-452, although it could not determine whether those oversights had contributed to the crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KC-130T.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KC-130T.jpg.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KC-130T.jpg.jpg?resize=300,157 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KC-130T.jpg.jpg?resize=768,402 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KC-130T.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,536 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A KC-130T from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 drops cargo as part of container delivery system training at a drop zone on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22, 2018. The training simulated transporting supplies, vehicles and Marines to a designated area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If an aircraft sits in maintenance for more than 56 days without being run or without its blades being manually rotated, intermediate-level maintainers must perform an eddy current inspection to check for cracks beneath the surface of the propeller blade. During such an inspection, a magnetized metal probe is moved across the surface of the blade to detect anomalies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On April 26, 2017, the mishap aircraft had sat idle for 56 days, which should have triggered an inspection, but an eddy current analysis was never performed, according to the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The powerline chief from VMGR-452\u2019s powerline division believed the 700-hour engine inspection conducted at the time would satisfy the requirement, because the propeller blades had been rotated at least three times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the Marine Corps investigation found the squadron did not have the documentation necessary to verify whether the conditions of the 56-day rule had been met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That powerline chief, a staff sergeant whose name is redacted in the report, told investigators that the number of times a prop blade must rotate in order to ensure all engine turbine blades have been inspected is \u201cuntil I feel comfortable,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, the investigation states that \u201cit cannot be quantifiably determined\u201d that operational or intermediate-level maintenance inspections or actions could have detected the blade conditions that led to the crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEven if the unit had conducted the required off-wing eddy current inner taper bore inspection in April 2017, it cannot be concluded with any reasonable degree of certainty that the radial crack would or would not have been detected as the growth rate for a radial crack is unknowable,\u201d investigators wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The report also questions about the professionalism and competence of VMGR-452\u2019s maintenance team in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a visit to VMGR-452 in March, several investigators nearly slipped on a large area of the hangar deck that \u201cwas saturated with oil or hydraulic fluid,\u201d according to a summary of the visit included in the report\u2019s supplementals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMultiple VMGR-452 maintenance personnel of all ranks were witnessed to have observed this hazard and took no corrective action nor did they provide verbal warning,\u201d the visit summary states. \u201cThe lack of concern or care conveyed by VMGR-452 maintenance personnel has led the (investigation) team to believe that is a normal attitude and an accepted approach to conducting business at the squadron.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such a discrepancy \u201cbuilds concern for how they conduct maintenance safely on a daily basis,\u201d the summary states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere were occasions of individuals being passionate and defiant towards members of the (investigating) team,\u201d the summary states. \u201cIt is clear VMGR-452 maintenance personnel take pride in the product they produce, however occasionally are not able to verbalize their position in a professional manner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response, the Marine Corps took action in order to improve corrosion prevention and general maintenance practices at VMGR-452.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing conducted followup inspections of the unit \u201cto train and re-educate the command on appropriate requirements and practices that are needed to properly ensure all tasks and inspections are performed to appropriate standards and publications,\u201d the Marine Corps Forces Reserve said in a statement. However, &#8220;no commanders were relieved in the wake of this incident because no cause was found within the scope of their responsibilities at the MAG and squadron levels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brig. Gen. Bradley James, commander of the 4th Marine Air Wing, said \u201ceveryone is looking to what they can do to improve\u201d in the wake of the crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnyone around this process is absolutely horrified,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last summer\u2019s crash will likely provide a grim and final coda for the KC-130T, which is slated to become an aircraft of the past for the Marine Corps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VMGR-452 is the only squadron still flying the T model as the rest of the force transitions to a modern J variant, according to James.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c452 will receive their first two Js this next September and October, and within two years, we\u2019ll be looking pretty good,\u201d he said. \u201cI can safely say, give us three years and we\u2019re probably out of the T business.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A corroded propeller was sent through an Air Force maintenance depot but was not repaired.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":70298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":7,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[7,160,36],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3384,3483],"class_list":["post-46511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air","category-daily-news-roundup","category-newsletters"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"BNUCIE5H45EM7NL6Q5NO3IOEUE","arc_canonical_url":"\/2018\/12\/05\/investigation-blames-air-force-and-navy-for-systemic-failures-in-fatal-marine-corps-c-130-crash-that-killed-16\/","remove_feature_photo":true,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Investigation blames Air Force and Navy for systemic failures in fatal Marine Corps C-130 crash that killed 16 - Defense News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A corroded propeller was sent through an Air Force maintenance depot but was not repaired.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Investigation blames Air Force and Navy for systemic failures in fatal Marine Corps C-130 crash that killed 16\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A corroded propeller was sent through an Air Force maintenance depot but was not repaired.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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