Eight people, including two employees of Boeing company, were killed when a US Air Force B-52 bomber crashed immediately after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California on Monday.
The incident occurred at 11:20 local time (19:20 GMT) while the aircraft was conducting a routine test mission. The crash resulted in a large plume of black smoke that was visible for miles.
Colonel James Hayes described the event as a “terrible tragedy” and confirmed the deaths of eight “great Americans,” who he identified as a “mixed crew of military, government civilians and government contractors”, reports BBC.
Following a review of initial footage, base officials deemed the crash “unrecoverable and unsurvivable”. The aircraft was supporting the base’s radar modernisation programme when it crashed and burst into flames. Col Hayes noted that the crash was “totally contained” on the base runway.
In the wake of the accident, Edwards Air Force Base has temporarily grounded operations and closed its airfield, with all inbound aircraft being diverted.
All non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended to allow the installation to focus on emergency response efforts. Authorities said the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. A series of initial investigations is expected to take up to 30 days, while a more in-depth analysis could exceed six months. The identities of the deceased will be released 24 hours after the notification of next of kin.
Boeing confirmed that two of its staff members were among those on board and stated the company is in contact with their families, though it declined to offer further comment. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, nicknamed “the Buff” (short for “Big Ugly Fat”), has been a cornerstone of the US military since the 1950s.
While the long-range strategic bomber typically carries a crew of five – comprising an aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator, and electronic warfare officer – eight personnel were on board for this specific mission.
The aircraft can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and carry a 70,000lb (32,000kg) payload, which can include conventional bombs and 32 nuclear cruise missiles. Its mid-flight refuelling capability provided a “nuclear umbrella” for the US during the Cold War.
More recently, the B-52 has been utilised in bombing raids during the US and Israel’s war in Iran. California Governor Gavin Newsom described the crash as a “tragic incident” and offered condolences to the victims’ families and the base community.
US Representative Vince Fong, whose district includes the base, called the news “absolutely heartbreaking”. Congressman Jay Obernolte and Congresswoman Lisa McClain also shared messages of support, with McClain noting that “our service members carry the weight of this nation’s defence every single day”.
Edwards Air Force Base is in the Mojave Desert, approximately 160km (100 miles) north of Los Angeles.
