The June 29 accident, involving a Minuteman 3 missile transporter erector traveling on El Rancho Road on North Base, damaged an inert training missile and other equipment totaling $2.3 million. The findings of the accident investigation board, led by 30th Operations Group commander Col. Mark Owen, were released Monday.

The two staff sergeants in the truck, which transports intercontinental ballistic missiles, were returning from training on north Vandenberg, where underground missile silos are located.

"By clear and convincing evidence, excessive speed for the roadway conditions presented is the cause of this mishap," the report says. "Substantial evidence shows that the lack of sufficient experience and inadequate training of the mishap driver are significant contributing factors."

The posted speed limit for the curves is 50 mph; the driver was traveling between 49 and 53 mph, the report says.

The report contends that the posted speed limit of 50 mph is "imprudent" for the missile-carrying vehicle. Still, the driver "failed to exercise sufficient judgment" and adjust his speed, the board said.

Vandenberg officials have since lowered the advisory speed limit to 15 mph for tractor-trailers and larger vehicles.

Some of harshest comments in the report centered on deficiencies of the 576th Flight Test Squadron's training program. While training included transporter erector orientation, it lacked the fundamentals of driving multi-axle vehicles, the report noted.

"No member of the unit has attended this training since May 1999, apparently resulting from a unit-level decision to no longer avail itself of fundamentals drivers training courses such as those offered at the operational missile wings and at Vandenberg AFB, CA," the report says.

"Furthermore, the unit's failure to require this training of its prospective TE drivers renders the unit in non-compliance with a government Air Force Space Command Instruction. This Accident Investigation Board President finds this to be significant."

Officials with the 576th Flight Training Squadron, which is responsible for conducting missile tests from Vandenberg, are reviewing unit training procedures to make improvements.

At the time of the accident, the vehicle was transporting an inert Minuteman 3 training missile.

While the training missile can't be repaired, the vehicle's tractor can be fixed. Portions of the transporter erector container can be salvaged.

Military officials didn't release the name of the driver, who suffered minor injuries, or his passenger, who received a major injury to his shoulder.

The accident did not lead to any formal administrative actions against the driver or passenger, military officials said.

Staff writer Janene Scully can be reached at (805) 739-2214 or by e-mail at janscully@pulitzer.net.