Eight Killed in B-52 Crash at Edwards Air Force Base

A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert on Monday, killing all eight people on board, Air Force officials confirmed.

The aircraft was on a routine test mission linked to a radar modernization program. Colonel James Hayes said the bomber crashed shortly after takeoff. Those on board included military personnel, civilian government employees and contractors. Boeing said two of its employees were among the victims.

The cause of the crash remains unknown. The incident is under investigation.

Footage from the scene showed a large charred area in the desert. Authorities described the crash as unsurvivable. The names of the victims have not yet been released.

The B-52 Stratofortress is one of the US Air Force’s most important strategic bombers. It can carry a wide range of conventional and nuclear weapons and has a range of more than 13,000 km without refueling.

According to National Transportation Safety Board data, it was the first crash involving a B-52 bomber since 2016, when a similar aircraft crashed on Guam. All crew members survived in that incident.

(reuters, max)