A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert on Monday, killing all eight crew members on board, according to multiple reports, including CNN. The aircraft went down around 11:20 am local time during a routine test mission linked to a radar modernisation programme.
The crash occurred within the base perimeter, about 95 km north of Los Angeles. Emergency teams rushed to the scene immediately after the aircraft went down, while the airfield was shut and incoming flights were diverted.
Emergency Response and Airfield Shutdown
Edwards Air Force Base confirmed in an official update that rescue and recovery operations were launched at once. The base later announced that all non-commercial visitor passes were suspended and the airfield had been fully closed to support emergency operations.
Officials said a large charred area was visible in the desert terrain near the runway, with thick smoke rising from the crash site. Authorities have not yet released the cause of the accident.
‘Tragic and unsurvivable,’ say officials
Colonel James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, said the crash was “tragic and unsurvivable,” according to AFP. He also confirmed that those on board included military personnel, civilian employees and contractors working on the test mission.
Chief Master Sergeant Joshua T Skarloken, cited by CNN, said efforts were underway to notify the families of the deceased. Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, confirmed that two of its employees were among those killed and said it was in contact with their families.
Officials said the identities of the victims have not yet been made public.
Investigation into B-52 Crash Begins
The US Air Force has launched a formal investigation into the crash. Officials warned that determining the exact cause could take several months, with preliminary analysis expected to continue as the site is secured and debris is examined.
The B-52 Stratofortress, built by Boeing, has been in service since 1955 and remains a key part of the US strategic bomber fleet. It is capable of carrying both nuclear and precision-guided conventional weapons and is used in a range of missions including strategic strikes and maritime operations.
One of the Oldest US Military Bombers
According to the US Air Force, the B-52 remains one of its most versatile long-range aircraft. Only the B-52H variant is currently in active service, operated from bases including Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana under Air Force Global Strike Command.
This is the first fatal crash involving a B-52 since 2008, when six crew members were killed near Guam. A previous crash in 2016 on Guam saw all seven crew members survive.
