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Pentagon Labyrinth

“Who Killed Lt. Van Dorn?”

January 7, 2019

A new documentary looks into the case of Navy Lt. Wes Van Dorn who was killed alongside two crewmates when their Sea Dragon helicopter crashed off the coast of Virginia in January 2014 and details the institutional factors that led to the tragedy.

Pentagon Labyrinth · Who Killed LT Van Dorn

Navy Lieutenant Wes Van Dorn raised concerns for years about the safety of the MH-53E helicopters in his squadron. Aging equipment and shoddy maintenance plagued the entire fleet for years, which he believed seriously jeopardized the lives of his crew. Tragically, he was proven correct when faulty wiring sparked a fire in his helicopter, causing it to crash off the coast of Virginia on January 8, 2014. Lt. Van Dorn, Lt. Sean Snyder, and Petty Officer Brian Collins all died from their injuries.

Lt. Van Dorn
(Photo: Nicole Van Dorn / Investigative Studios, used with permission)

This incident is a tragic case-study that places into clear relief many of the issues we have been raising for decades. The 53-series helicopters have been described by some as the deadliest aircraft in the United States inventory. Many of them have been pressed far beyond their anticipated service life because three programs intended to replace the MH-53’s mine countermeasure missions failed. Maintenance troubles have also plagued the program, in part because the services often prefer to spend funds on the latest over-budget piece of gadgetry rather than adequately providing for the upkeep of what is in service today.

This episode of the Pentagon Labyrinth features interviews with Nicole Van Dorn, Lt. Van Dorn’s widow, and Zachary Stauffer, director and producer of the new documentary film Who Killed Lt. Van Dorn?.

People

  • Guest

    Nicole Van Dorn

    Nicole Van Dorn was married to the late Lt. Wes Van Dorn.

  • Guest

    Zachary Stauffer

    Zachary Stauffer is the director and producer of the new documentary film Who Killed Lt. Van Dorn?.

  • Host

    Dan Grazier

    Dan Grazier is a Senior Defense Policy Fellow at the Center for Defense Information at POGO.

Show Notes:

  • Lt. J Wesley Van Dorn Obituary
  • “Who Killed Lt. Van Dorn?” website
  • Navy identifies 2 sailors killed in crash off Va. Beach
  • Inquiry: Frayed wire led to fatal Navy helicopter crash
  • Music: “Without Limits” Ross Bugden

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Center for Defense Information

The Center for Defense Information at POGO aims to secure far more effective and ethical military forces at significantly lower cost.

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