Eight people were killed in a B-52 bomber crash in California
A B-52 strategic bomber crashed shortly after take-off from Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert in southern California. The aircraft crashed at around 11.20 am during a routine test mission and caught fire. The military confirmed the deaths of all eight people on board, the AP reports.
Footage released from the scene shows a burnt-out area near the runway and thick black smoke. Emergency services were working at the scene.
Those killed included military personnel and civilian contractors. Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among the passengers.
Colonel James Hays, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, stated that after reviewing video footage of the crash, it was clear that no one could have survived. He said the authorities were working to notify the families of the victims.
The causes of the crash have not yet been established. Colonel Hays noted that the investigation could take up to six months. He also reported that the aircraft was participating in a radar system modernisation programme.
The B-52 Stratofortress has been in service since 1955. The aircraft was designed to carry conventional and nuclear weapons and has been used in various US military operations, from the Vietnam War to the conflict with Iran.
In 2025, Boeing delivered a B-52 aircraft with a new, upgraded radar system to Edwards Air Force Base. A series of ground and flight tests was planned for 2026. It is not yet clear whether this particular aircraft was involved in the crash.
Following the crash, the airbase was temporarily closed to flights, and all aircraft bound for it were diverted to other airfields. By the end of the day, access to the base had been restored for those arriving, but the issuing of passes for non-commercial visitors was suspended. Fire crews continued to extinguish the blaze.
US Air Force Secretary Troy Maink expressed his condolences over the loss of life. In his statement, he noted that he had paid tribute to the service members, civilian employees and contractors who were carrying out their duties.
Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzetti suggested that the crash may have been caused by a fault in the flight control systems. He added that a serious engine problem or a failure of the equipment being tested could not be ruled out.
He emphasised that flight tests always involve higher risks than normal aircraft operations, which is why specially trained pilots and additional safety systems are deployed for such flights.
