package linux-image-4.4.0-138-generic 4.4.0-138.164 failed to install/upgrade

package linux-image-4.4.0-138-generic 4.4.0-138.164 failed to install/upgrade: run-parts: /etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools exited with return code 127

kernel installations halt while scanning mdadm arrays, eventually timing out and failing

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: linux-image-4.4.0-138-generic 4.4.0-138.164
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-137.163-generic 4.4.144
Uname: Linux 4.4.0-137-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia_drm nvidia_modeset nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.18
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: darknite 3697 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: darknite 3697 F.... pulseaudio
Date: Wed Oct 24 18:03:47 2018
ErrorMessage: run-parts: /etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools exited with return code 127
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=93c26513-703e-41c7-b051-ce990cb1c75a
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-07-21 (1556 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140417)
MachineType: To Be Filled By O.E.M. To Be Filled By O.E.M.
ProcFB: 0 VESA VGA
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-137-generic root=UUID=58386e6d-2705-4538-831c-48934ded8dbb ro nomdmonddf nomdmonisw
PulseList: Error: command ['pacmd', 'list'] failed with exit code 1: No PulseAudio daemon running, or not running as session daemon.
RelatedPackageVersions: grub-pc 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.18
RfKill:
 0: phy0: Wireless LAN
  Soft blocked: no
  Hard blocked: no
SourcePackage: initramfs-tools
Title: package linux-image-4.4.0-138-generic 4.4.0-138.164 failed to install/upgrade: run-parts: /etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools exited with return code 127
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 09/18/2014
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: P1.00
dmi.board.asset.tag: D050995F178D
dmi.board.name: 980DE3/U3S3 R2.0
dmi.board.vendor: ASRock
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.version: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvrP1.00:bd09/18/2014:svnToBeFilledByO.E.M.:pnToBeFilledByO.E.M.:pvrToBeFilledByO.E.M.:rvnASRock:rn980DE3/U3S3R2.0:rvr:cvnToBeFilledByO.E.M.:ct3:cvrToBeFilledByO.E.M.:
dmi.product.name: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.product.version: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.sys.vendor: To Be Filled By O.E.M.