Madrid: A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed during takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California's Mojave Desert, resulting in a massive fire and killing all eight crew members on board. The tragic incident occurred on Monday as the aircraft embarked on a routine test flight.
According to Thai News Agency, Colonel James Hayes, Deputy Commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, confirmed the eight-engine jet aircraft was meant to carry large quantities of nuclear and conventional bombs. The crash took place on the runway immediately after takeoff, sending a large plume of black smoke visible from several kilometers away.
The crew on board consisted of government officials, government contract employees, and uniformed military personnel. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, confirmed that two of its employees were among the deceased. The flight aimed to support a radar system modernization project, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Air Force officials have withheld the names of the deceased as they notify their families.
Aerial video footage shows a vast burnt desert landscape, larger than a football field, still emitting smoke. Rescue vehicles are seen navigating the area, but large pieces of wreckage are not clearly visible. Colonel Hayes stated that initial reviews of the scene indicated no survivors, and due to runway damage, all flight operations within Edwards Air Force Base are suspended until at least Tuesday. Operations outside the base remain unaffected.