8 Dead After US Air Force B-52 Bomber Crashes In California
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.
All About B-52 Bomber The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that first flew in 1954 and was originally designed for potential conflict with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Despite its age, the aircraft has undergone continuous upgrades, allowing it to remain a key part of the US Air Force’s fleet for decades. Also Read: F-35A Lightning II, A-10: US Lost Or Damaged 42 Military Aircraft In Iran War Designed and built by Boeing, the B-52 serves as the backbone of the US crewed strategic bomber force, according to the military. The aircraft has a wingspan of 185 feet (56 metres) and a length of 159 feet (48 metres), making it one of the largest bombers in service. The bomber is typically operated by a five-member crew comprising an aircraft commander, a pilot, a radar navigator, a navigator and an electronic warfare officer, according to a US Air Force fact sheet. With a combat range of up to 8,800 miles, the B-52 is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads. It can be armed with a wide variety of munitions, including gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision-guided missiles, cruise missiles and nuclear warheads, while operating at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,166 metres). In conventional warfare, the aircraft can perform a range of missions, including strategic attacks, close air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air operations and maritime strike missions, the Air Force fact sheet states.
Over the decades, the United States has deployed the B-52 in several major conflicts, including the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and, most recently, operations involving Iran. With inputs from AFP, Reuters News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Prisha Vibhavari Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st... Read More Location: California, USA First Published: June 16, 2026, 07:00 IST News world 8 Dead After US Air Force B-52 Bomber Crashes In California Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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