All eight people on board a United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress have died after the long-range bomber crashed in the California desert, military authorities have confirmed.
The aircraft was conducting a routine test mission on Monday when the incident occurred shortly after departing from Edwards Air Force Base, located approximately 95 kilometers (60 miles) north of Los Angeles.
Aerial views of the impact zone revealed a massive plume of black smoke billowing from a heavily scorched stretch of land.
During a press conference, Colonel James Hayes confirmed that emergency officials determined there were no survivors from the wreckage.
“Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a horrible tragedy, and we lost eight great Americans,” Hayes stated. “This crash is deemed to be unsurvivable and, right now, our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”
According to Hayes, the flight was operating in support of the US Air Force’s “radar modernisation program.” The plane was carrying a “mixed crew” consisting of military personnel, civilian government staff, and independent government contractors.
“At this point, we don’t have any indication as to what the cause was of this,” Hayes added, noting that a full investigation into the catastrophe could take “upwards of six months” to conclude.
Following the crash, Edwards Air Force Base announced via social media that its airfield had been temporarily shut down, with all incoming flights being rerouted.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink expressed his profound grief over the incident on social media.
“We mourn this loss and honor the service of our Airmen, civilians, and contractors who work every day to advance our mission,” Meink posted on X.
US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson also offered his condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
“The roar of a B-52 is a familiar sound to all of us in Bossier City, Shreveport, and the surrounding region, and reminds us daily of the courage and sacrifice of those in uniform,” Johnson shared on X.
“As more details emerge, we mourn alongside our military community and pray for the families, friends, and fellow service members grieving this devastating loss. May God comfort those impacted and bless the men and women who serve our nation.”
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a legendary long-range bomber that first entered service in 1955 and typically operates with a standard crew of five. Valued at roughly $110 million per aircraft, it is engineered to transport up to 31,750 kilograms (70,000 lbs) of both conventional and nuclear weaponry.
The platform has seen extensive action in global conflicts spanning from the Vietnam War to modern operations across the Middle East.
This fatal event occurs nearly a year after a near-miss incident over North Dakota, where a commercial regional airliner was forced to make an abrupt, unexpected turn to prevent a midair collision with a military B-52 that had entered its flight path.
