Eight Confirmed Dead After B-52 Crash Deemed ‘Not Survivable’

Eight people were killed Monday when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California during a routine test mission, Air Force officials confirmed during a Monday press conference.

During the presser Hayes confirmed, “Edwards Air Force Base experienced a tragedy, and we lost eight great Americans,” Col. James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, said.

The aircraft went down at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time while supporting a radar modernization program. “An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after take-off at 11:20 a.m. (PDT),” Edwards Air Force Base said in a statement, “Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable.” Hayes later confirmed that assessment. According to Hayes, the bomber took off and “immediately after takeoff crashed and burst into flames.”

The victims have not yet been identified as Air Force officials are still notifying next of kin. Hayes revealed that the crew was a mix of military personnel, government civilians, and government contractors supporting the test mission.

The crash occurred entirely within Edwards Air Force Base and remained confined to the runway area. Officials confirmed the aircraft was not carrying any weapons.

Emergency response crews remain on scene as officials work to account for all personnel aboard the aircraft. The crash is currently under investigation.

The B-52 crashed shortly after departing Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert, roughly 100 miles north of Los Angeles. Following the incident, the airfield was closed and inbound aircraft were diverted.

After reviewing footage of the incident, officials determined there was no possibility of survival. “It was tragic and unsurvivable,” Hayes said when asked about the condition of the crash site. The cause of the crash remains unknown.

The Air Force will conduct a multi-stage investigation beginning with an interim safety board, followed by a formal Safety Investigation Board expected to take approximately 30 days. An Accident Investigation Board will then conduct a more extensive review, a process that could take up to six months before findings are publicly released.

Officials declined to answer questions regarding how high the aircraft climbed, how long it remained airborne, the experience level of the crew, or the age and service history of the particular bomber, citing the pending investigation. The B-52 was conducting one of the many test flights routinely flown from Edwards Air Force Base, where test missions occur multiple times each day.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is one of the most recognizable aircraft in the U.S. military and has been in service since the 1950s. The long-range heavy bomber remains a key component of America’s strategic deterrent and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.

Earlier in the day, Edwards Air Force Base suspended all non-commercial visitor passes and said the installation was focused entirely on emergency response efforts. However the base has now reopened to workers and visitors, but will suspend all flight test operations on the day following the crash. Col. Hayes said the base is “terminating operations tomorrow” and “standing down operations” due to the damaged runway

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members,” Hayes said. “It’s a tragedy, and this is going to be the worst day of their lives.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.