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Navy Blames Human Error, Malfunction For Drone Crash

The Navy says human error and a malfunctioning problem are to blame for a November drone accident off the coast of Southern California that injured two sailors and caused $30 million in damage to a warship.

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The Navy says human error and a malfunctioning problem are to blame for a November drone accident off the coast of Southern California that injured two sailors and caused $30 million in damage to a warship.

U-T San Diego (http://bit.ly/1lx9BKw) reported Friday that a Navy report recommends administrative action against the warship's then-skipper, Capt. Andrew Hesser, and three crew members for not doing enough to stop the drone from crashing into the San Diego-based Chancellorsville. The newspaper obtained a redacted copy of the report through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The drone breached the warship's hull.

The report says the control tower at Point Mugu naval base was also slow to react.

Navy officials nor Hesser could be reached for comment.

The sailors suffered minor injuries.

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