Eight crew members were killed after a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert on Monday.
According to reports, the aircraft was on a routine test mission and took off at approximately 11:20 am local time before crashing near the military installation located northeast of Los Angeles.
Officials at Edwards Air Force Base confirmed that all eight personnel on board are presumed dead and that the operation has shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery effort.
“It was tragic and unsurvivable,” Colonel James Hayes said during a press conference.
Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the crash site. Authorities said the aircraft left behind a massive plume of black smoke that was visible from a considerable distance.
Visuals from the scene showed a large scorched area near the runway and lingering smoke, while investigators worked to assess the extent of the wreckage.
Chief Master Sergeant Joshua T. Skarloken said officials were in the process of notifying the families of those killed in the crash.
According to Air Force officials, the crew included a mix of military personnel, government civilians and government contractors.
Preliminary information indicates that the B-52 bomber was conducting a test flight in support of a radar modernisation programme when the accident occurred.
While Edwards Air Force Base has since reopened, flight operations have been suspended through Tuesday as investigators continue recovery efforts and examine the cause of the crash.
The B-52 Stratofortress, first introduced in 1955, remains one of the oldest aircraft still in active service with the US Air Force and continues to serve as a key component of the country’s long-range strategic bomber fleet.
An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal crash.
