Eight Die as US B-52 Jet Bomber Crashes on a CA Run
All eight passengers died when a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed during a test flight in California.
A tragic accident occurred in Southern California’s Mojave Desert on Monday, as a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all eight people on board.
The incident took place around 11:20 a.m. during a routine test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, located north of Los Angeles. Emergency services rushed to the scene where black smoke and fire erupted near the runway.
Eight Victims Confirmed in the Crash
The victims on board the aircraft included military personnel and government contractors. The aerospace company Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among the deceased.
Col. James Hayes, the deputy commander for the 412 test wing at Edwards Air Force Base, confirmed that there were no survivors after officials reviewed footage of the crash.
"We lost eight great Americans," Hayes said, adding that authorities are currently working to support and notify the families of the victims.
Investigation and Aircraft Details
The exact cause of the crash remains unknown. Col. Hayes stated that a full investigation is underway, which could take up to six months to complete. He shared that the flight was supporting the "radar modernization program."
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a historic long-range bomber that has been in service since 1955. It is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons and has been used in various global conflicts.
In 2025, Boeing delivered a B-52 with a modernized radar system to the base for testing throughout 2026. This new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system was designed to replace older systems. However, officials have not confirmed if this specific aircraft was the one involved in Monday's crash.
Historic Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a key site for testing and developing military aircraft, located about 161 kilometers (100 miles) north of Los Angeles. The base is famous as the location where pilot Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947.
Following the crash, the airfield was temporarily closed, and incoming flights were diverted. The base reopened to personnel by late afternoon, though visitor passes were suspended while emergency crews completed their work on-site.
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