8 feared dead after US Air Force B-52 bomber crashes shortly after takeoff from California base
Los Angeles, June 16
A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert, the base said.
The crash occurred on Monday at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time, the base wrote on X.
Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene, and response operations remain ongoing.
In a separate post on X, the military base announced that the airfield was closed and all inbound aircraft were being diverted, Xinhua news agency reported.
"Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a terrible tragedy, and we lost eight great Americans," Col James Hayes told reporters, describing them as a "mixed crew of military, government civilians and government contractors".
All non-commercial visitor passes were suspended until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations, the base said.
B-52 Stratofortress was carrying eight people and crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base, with no survivors reported, the base said.
The aircraft was on a routine test mission, the base said on X. The crash sent a huge plume of black smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.
"Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable," the base said.
Officials are working to account for all personnel involved. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The B-52 is a long-range strategic bomber that has been participating in bombing raids on Iran during the latest US-Israeli war on the country.
Capable of flying at up to 50,000 feet (commercial airliners fly around 35,000 feet) the colossal bomber's 70,000lb payload can include hundreds of conventional bombs and 32 nuclear cruise missiles.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So sad. I grew up near a base and these crews train relentlessly. The loss of eight people is devastating. Hoping investigations find answers quickly.
This is a sobering reminder of the risks in military aviation. India has its own history of crashes, like the recent Tejas incident. But what concerns me is the mention of B-52s being used in Iran bombing raids—why is such provocative action still happening? The world needs de-escalation, not more destruction. Prayers for the departed souls. 🙏
Tragic accident. But let's not forget the broader context—B-52s have been used to drop bombs on civilians in Iran, Yemen, and Afghanistan. Every death is a tragedy, but why does the US continue these wars? As an Indian, I find it hard to mourn for a weapons system designed for mass destruction. We should focus on peace.
The loss of 8 lives is genuinely sad. But I wonder: why is India's military even interested in US test missions? We should focus on our own defence needs. That said, respect for the crew—they gave their all for their country. Om Shanti. 🌸
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