Eight people were killed after a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after take-off from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, marking one of the deadliest military aviation accidents in recent years.
The aircraft went down around 11:20 a.m. local time on June 15 during a routine test mission linked to a radar modernisation programme. Officials said the bomber crashed almost immediately after becoming airborne and burst into flames, leaving no survivors.
The victims included a mix of military personnel, government civilians and contractors. Two employees of Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, were also among those killed. Authorities said the identities of the victims would be released after their families had been notified.
Aerial footage from the crash site showed a large charred area in the Mojave Desert near the runway, with thick black smoke visible from miles away. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but officials later described the crash as “unsurvivable.”
For families awaiting news of their loved ones, the tragedy has been devastating. Military officials expressed condolences and paid tribute to those who lost their lives while supporting critical testing and development work for the Air Force.
The B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range bomber that entered service in the 1950s, remains a key part of the US military’s fleet and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. The aircraft involved in the accident belonged to the test community at Edwards Air Force Base, one of the United States’ most important flight-testing centres.
Following the crash, the airfield was temporarily closed and incoming aircraft were diverted. A formal investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Officials said it could take months before a final report is completed.
