Washington- UNS : A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert on Monday, killing all eight individuals on board, military officials confirmed.
According to an official statement issued by the US Air Force, the aircraft was conducting a routine test mission in support of a radar modernization program when it went down near the runway moments after departure. The crash triggered a massive fire, sending thick black smoke into the sky that was visible from miles away.
Air Force Colonel James Hayes told reporters that the aircraft involved was an eight-engine B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range strategic bomber capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.
The victims included government civilian personnel, military members, and defense contractors participating in the mission. Emergency response and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the crash site, though all eight occupants were pronounced dead.
Boeing, the aerospace and defense manufacturer associated with the aircraft, confirmed that two of its employees were among those killed in the accident.
The US Air Force has launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Officials stated that no conclusions have yet been reached regarding the factors that led to the incident.
Military authorities extended condolences to the families of the victims, pledging full transparency as the investigation proceeds and additional information becomes available.
The B-52 Stratofortress remains one of the most iconic aircraft in the US strategic bomber fleet and has served for decades in multiple military operations around the world.
