Air Force B-52 bomber crashes at Edwards Air Force Base
The B-52 Stratofortress crashed after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base while authorities closed the airfield and investigated the cause.
On Monday, June 15, a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress “crashed and burst into flames” shortly after takeoff in California, killing eight people, military officials said.
The giant military plane crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California at around 11:20 a.m. local time. Base officials said the people on board were a mix of military personnel and civilian contractors.
“We lost eight great Americans. This crash is considered non-survivable,” base deputy commander Col. James Hayes told reporters in Edwards on Monday afternoon. It added that the plane “crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff.”
The immediate cause of the crash was unknown. Hayes estimated the investigation would take six months. He said the flight was a test mission in support of a radar modernization program. The commander said the names of the dead will not be released until their families are notified.
Base officials added that more information would be released as the investigation progresses. Officials said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the members at this time.”
In a post updated just before 1 p.m. PT, the base announced that the airfield would be closed and all incoming aircraft would be diverted.
“All non-commercial visitor passes are suspended until further notice to allow the facility to focus on emergency response operations,” the base said in a statement.
The Pentagon confirmed the crash to USA TODAY without elaborating on what led to the accident.
Deadly B-52 Stratofortress crash occurs on U.S. soil, first in decades
According to the Aircraft Accident Records Bureau, the last fatal crash involving a B-52 Stratofortress in the United States occurred on June 24, 1994, when the aircraft stalled during a dangerous low-altitude maneuver during a practice flight ahead of an air show at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington.
Investigators later determined that the pilot, Lt. Col. Arthur “Bud” Holland, had made steep bank angles and low-altitude flights in violation of numerous regulations during previous practice flights, and attempted a series of banked turns and other maneuvers against orders. He and all three crew members were killed.
According to the archives, the investigation cited several factors that contributed to the tragedy, including disregard for procedures on the part of the Dutch, failure to take precautions by senior management, and unpreparedness of the crew of the doomed plane.
In 2015, footage of the accident was used in the trailer for the Michael Bay film Project Almanac. Paramount Pictures later removed the shot and apologized to director Bay after an outcry from the families of the two crash victims.
In 2016, a B-52 crashed and burst into flames during takeoff from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. All seven crew members escaped safely.
About Edwards Air Force Base
The base spans parts of Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties and is approximately 160 miles north of Los Angeles.
California leaders mourn
California Governor Gavin Newsom and other state leaders released statements mourning those killed in the crash.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Edwards Air Force Base community affected by this tragic incident,” Newsom said in a statement Monday night. “We would like to thank the first responders and emergency personnel currently on scene.”
“My heart breaks for the families of the military personnel involved in this devastating crash today at Edwards Air Force Base. I join all of California in mourning this tragic loss of life. Our prayers are with their families,” said the state’s incoming senator, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff.
In a statement about the X, Rep. Vince Fung (R-Calif.) asked the public to pray for the crew and “the entire Edwards community.” His post included a photo of large plumes of black smoke billowing from a field.
What is the B-52 Stratofortress?
According to information from Air Force Global Strike Command, the B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range heavy bomber that can reach subsonic speeds up to 50,000 feet.
An online military fact sheet says it is “capable of carrying nuclear or precision-guided conventional weapons with global precision navigation capabilities.”
The last crash at the base occurred on May 18, 1992, when a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquis crashed during landing, killing both crew members, according to military archives reviewed by USA TODAY. Seven passengers were also seriously injured.
The plane was completing contact with the U.S. Navy from China Lake, an unincorporated community in Kern County, when it crashed into the ground on final approach.
Edwards Air Force Base History
Many of humanity’s historic achievements in aviation took place and continue to this day on the dry lake bed of the Mojave Desert, known as Edwards Air Force Base.
Edwards Air Force Base was established in 1942 on what was then known as Moorock Dry Lake and has steadily grown since then to more than 300,000 acres, or 470 square miles, said Mike Paoli, retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and 412th Test Wing spokesman.
The base is home to more than 11,000 residents, approximately 20% military and 80% civilians.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.
Contributed by USA TODAY trending news reporter James Powel and Reuters.
