8 Dead After US Air Force B-52 Bomber Crashes In California

Published 16 June 2026 · us

8 Dead After US Air Force B-52 Bomber Crashes In California Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 07:17 IST The crash occurred shortly after

8 Dead After US Air Force B-52 Bomber Crashes In California Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 07:17 IST The crash occurred shortly after the take-off around midday at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California's Mojave Desert. Pictures from the US B-52 bomber crash site show the aftermath of a massive fire that appears to have completely destroyed the aircraft. (Source: Reuters) All eight people aboard the US B-52 bomber that crashed in California on Monday were killed, according to Edwards Air Force Base. Images from the crash site showed the wreckage engulfed by a massive fire, with the aircraft appearing to have been completely destroyed. The crash occurred shortly after the take-off around midday at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert, a key US military operations hub located about 60 miles (95 kilometres) north of Los Angeles. “An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after takeoff at 11.20 am (1800 GMT). Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable," said Edwards Air Force Base, in a statement. “Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel," it added. The base said the airfield had been closed and all inbound aircraft were being diverted following the crash.

Also Read: Iran Says American Aircraft Destroyed Near Bushehr, US Rejects Claim “All non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations," the base said. ‘Unrecoverable And Unsurvivable Crash’ The eight-engine, jet-powered aircraft, designed to carry both nuclear and conventional bombs, was on a routine test mission when it crashed on the runway at Edwards Air Force Base moments after takeoff, Air Force Colonel James Hayes said during a press conference held hours later. Aerial footage from the crash site showed a vast charred patch on the ground, suggesting the aircraft had been almost completely destroyed. Several emergency response vehicles were seen stationed around the burned area. Hayes said the “mixed crew" aboard the aircraft included government civilians, contractors and uniformed military personnel. The flight was part of a radar modernisation programme, he told reporters, adding that the cause of the crash remains unknown and is under investigation. “After reviewing footage of the crash, it was deemed to be unrecoverable and unsurvivable," Hayes said. He also noted that damage to the runway had forced officials to halt operations at the base. “We’re grounding all operations at Edwards Air Force Base" through at least Tuesday, he said, while clarifying that no operations beyond the base would be suspended.