B 52 Bomber crash in California kills 8 during test mission

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Los Angeles, June 16 

A B-52 bomber crashed shortly after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert on Monday, killing all eight people on board, according to US military officials. The aircraft was carrying out a routine test mission when it went down and burst into flames near the runway.

The crash occurred at around 11:20 am local time at the air base located north of Los Angeles. Visuals from the scene showed extensive wreckage scattered across a large charred area of desert, with thick black smoke rising as emergency teams responded to the incident.

Military officials said the victims included uniformed service personnel and government contractors. Colonel James Hayes, Deputy Commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, confirmed that there were no survivors. “We lost eight great Americans,” Hayes said, adding that efforts were underway to inform the families of those who died in the crash.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident. Hayes said a comprehensive investigation has been launched and could take up to six months to complete. He noted that the aircraft was supporting a radar modernization program at the time of the crash.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been a key part of the United States Air Force fleet since entering service in 1955. The long-range bomber is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons and has been deployed in several military operations over the decades.

Edwards Air Force Base has been conducting tests involving upgraded systems for the B-52 fleet, including a modern Active Electronically Scanned Array radar designed to replace older equipment. Officials have not confirmed whether the aircraft involved in Monday’s crash was equipped with the upgraded system.

Aviation safety experts said the aircraft’s failure to gain significant altitude after takeoff may indicate a flight control problem, engine malfunction, or issues related to equipment under evaluation. However, investigators have not released any preliminary findings.

Following the crash, flight operations at Edwards Air Force Base were temporarily suspended, and inbound aircraft were diverted. Emergency personnel remained at the site for several hours before the base gradually resumed limited operations later in the day. The investigation is expected to focus on the aircraft’s systems, test mission parameters and operational procedures as authorities work to determine what led to the fatal accident.