US Air Force B-52 bomber crashes in flames in California, killing all 8 crew aboard

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed in flames on Monday at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, killing all eight crew members aboard. The aircraft was on a routine test mission when it crashed just after takeoff.

Air Force Colonel James Hayes stated that the "mixed crew" included government civilians, contractors, and military personnel. Aerospace giant Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among the deceased. The flight was intended to support a radar modernization program.

The cause of the crash remains unknown and is currently under investigation. The Air Force has not yet released the names of the victims, as they are still in the process of notifying next of kin.

The crash resulted in a large patch of the desert floor being charred and smoldering. Due to damage to the runway, all operations at Edwards Air Force Base were grounded at least through Tuesday. The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic aircraft that has long served as a backbone of the U.S. strategic bomber force, capable of carrying a wide array of nuclear and conventional bombs.

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we’re grounding all operations at Edwards Air Force Base