Eight people have been killed after aB-52 bomber crashed during a test missionshortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California, military officials have confirmed. The aircraft burst into flames in the Mojave Desert, sending thick black smoke into the sky and prompting an immediate emergency response at one of the United States' most sensitive flight test facilities. Authorities have described the crash as 'not survivable' as investigations begin into what caused the fatal incident.
The accident occurred at around 11:20 a.m. local time during what officials said was a routine test flight. The base, located roughly 100 miles north of Los Angeles, was temporarily closed to incoming aircraft while emergency crews secured the area and accounted for personnel. Officials confirmed that eight people were on board the B-52 bomber, including a mix of military personnel, civilian government staff and defence contractors.
Families of those killed are being notified, while investigators work to establish the sequence of events that led to the crash. The US Air Force has said that determining the cause could take several months, given the complexity of the aircraft and the conditions surrounding the test mission.
Edwards Air Force Base, a major US military testing and development site in California's Mojave Desert,suspended flight operations following the crash. Video shared from the area showed heavy black smoke rising close to the airfield shortly after the incident. All inbound aircraft were diverted as emergency teams responded on the ground.
Video of Air Force B-52 bomber shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California
The base covers approximately 480 square miles and is used for testing advanced aircraft, weapons systems and aviation technology. It has played a central role in American aviation history, including early supersonic flight testing and NASA space shuttle landings.
The aircraft involved was a B-52 Stratofortress bomber, one of the longest-serving military aircraft in the world. Officials confirmed it went down shortly after takeoff during a test mission. The bomber, which normally operates with a crew of around five, had eight people on board at the time of the crash.
The aircraft reportedly caught fire and was destroyed on impact. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those killed, citing ongoing notification procedures for next of kin. The Air Force has also not confirmed whether the aircraft experienced mechanical failure, human error or another issue before the crash.
The presence of both military personnel and civilian contractors on board reflects the B-52's continued role in testing and evaluation programmes linked to ongoing upgrades of the ageing fleet.
TheB-52 bomber first entered service in the 1950sduring the Cold War era and has remained a cornerstone of the United States' strategic air power for more than seven decades. Originally designed as a long-range nuclear-capable bomber, it has since been adapted for conventional warfare and modern precision strike roles.
Source: International Business Times UK
