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Tragedy struck near Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California, as a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after taking off, potentially claiming the lives of all eight crew members on board, according to official reports.
The aircraft was engaged in a standard test mission when the unfortunate incident occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on the Edwards airfield, as stated by the base authorities.
In a formal statement, Edwards Air Force Base reported, “Today, a B-52 Stratofortress from the Air Force, carrying eight crew members on a routine test mission, met with disaster shortly after takeoff at 11:20 a.m. Initial reports suggest the crash was not survivable. Emergency teams have been deployed, and efforts are underway to locate and account for all individuals involved.”
Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, confirmed that two of its employees were among those aboard the ill-fated flight.
The crash occurred on the Edwards airfield, marking a somber moment in the day’s events. (KTTV)
“We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the eight crew members who lost their lives in the B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base, California,” Boeing said in a statement. “It is with great sadness that we confirm two Boeing employees were among those on board. We are in contact with their families and are offering support.”
The base said emergency crews responded immediately after the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. The airfield was closed following the crash, and all inbound aircraft were diverted.
Photos from the scene showed a plume of smoke rising near the wreckage.
“Please join me in praying for the B-52 crew at Edwards Air Force Base and the entire Edwards community,” Rep. Vince Fong wrote on X.
Officials later confirmed the B-52 was on a local test sortie supporting the bomber’s radar modernization program when it crashed. The crew included a mix of military personnel, government civilians and government contractors supporting the test mission.
Smoke rises from Edwards Air Force Base after the crash of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber aircraft in Edwards, California, U.S., June 15, 2026, in a still image from an ALERTCalifornia fire surveillance camera. (ALERTCalifornia/Handout via REUTERS )
The Air Force is pursuing a sweeping modernization effort for the B-52 fleet, including new Rolls-Royce F130 engines, upgraded avionics and a new AN/APQ-188 radar intended to keep the bomber flying into the 2050s.
In January, the Air Force awarded Boeing a roughly $2 billion contract to modify and test two B-52s equipped with the new engines ahead of a planned fleetwide upgrade.
The B-52 typically operates with a crew of five, including two pilots, a radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer.
The aircraft is one of 76 B-52s remaining in the Air Force inventory. The fleet is expected to remain in service for decades as the Air Force pursues extensive modernization upgrades.
The nuclear-capable bomber first entered service in the 1950s and remains a central component of the U.S. strategic bomber force.
A view of Edwards Air Force Base, on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Netflix)
The last B-52 airframe lost in a crash was destroyed during a takeoff accident at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in 2016.
Edwards is the Air Force’s premier flight-test center, and B-52s stationed there are frequently used for developmental and modernization testing rather than routine operational missions.
Source: NewsFinale | Read the Full Story…
