US B-52 bomber crash: Initial data shows rapid descent and sharp turn

A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, resulting in the deaths of all eight individuals on board. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff during a routine mission aimed at maintaining the long-serving aircraft's operational status for decades to come.

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The airfield remained closed on Tuesday while crews worked to make the crash site safe for search and recovery teams to enter, after fires flared up overnight

Initial flight tracking data indicates the bomber executed a sharp right turn and nearly completed a 180-degree maneuver before plummeting to the ground. The descent rate was recorded at an alarming 1,541 meters per minute, nearly ten times faster than a typical landing descent. Officials stated that the investigation into the exact cause of the crash could take up to six months to complete.

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The data, which comes from a system called multilateration, does not show precise altitude and speed information, but it does show the plane fell to earth at a rate of descent of 1,541 metres per minute; nearly 10 times as fast as a plane normally descends when preparing to land.

The airfield remained closed as crews worked to secure the crash site, which experienced flare-ups overnight. The B-52 was reportedly supporting a "radar modernization program." In 2025, a B-52 equipped with a modernized radar system was delivered to the base, a key component for keeping the bomber operational until at least 2050. It remains unclear if this was the same aircraft involved in the crash.

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The aircraft was supporting a "radar modernisation program,"

An aviation safety expert suggested that the rapid descent and proximity to the airfield after takeoff point towards a potential flight control malfunction. Possible causes include incorrect rigging after maintenance, a catastrophic engine failure, or a problem with equipment being tested. The Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system, which replaced the bomber's older technology, offers improved navigation and targeting capabilities.

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I think it was definitely a controllability issue