About ten years ago -452 almost lost a KC-130T while in flight.
Short version was one was loaned VX-10 for AR and TP training. The navy removed the wing life rafts and improperly stored them on the hangar deck. The navy re-installed the rafts w/o getting them serviced and then improperly installed/rigged the rafts.
The flight in question had TP IP and FMF instructor. At altitude one life raft deployed and wrapped around one horizontal stab and interfered with the rudder. They lost control, getting into a spin. The right seat pilot took control and recovered the acft with flight controls and asymmetric engine power. The aircraft never flew again due bent and broken major structure and thus struck.
The mishap investigation (blame passing avoidance) was along the lines Harrier in the water during Allied Farce, Hornet RAG stud in San Diego, and Osprey in Marana.
This is from memory but the KC-130F/R/T did/do not have any flight data recorders per se. The Nav systems may have some GPS/INS/track data.
S/F, FOG