See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy MELISSA KOENIG, US REPORTER and EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:21 BST, 15 June 2026 | Updated: 03:09 BST, 16 June 2026
The US military is in mourning after eight crew members were killed when a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after taking off from an Air Force base in California.The aircraft carrying military members, government contractors and government employees plummeted to the ground just outside of Los Angeles around 11.20am PT on Monday after departing from Edwards Air Force Base. It was on a routine test mission at the time, supporting radar modernization efforts, officials said, and 'initial indications are that the crash was not survivable.' 'Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a horrible tragedy and we lost eight great Americans,' Col. James Hayes said at a news conference, noting that officials were notifying next-of-kin. In a statement, officials for Boeing said they extend their '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. '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 company said.Emergency responders also remained on the scene of the crash Monday evening, as recovery operations continued.It remains unclear what may have caused the crash, with officials saying a preliminary report may not be available for six months. The military aircraft plummeted to the ground around 11.20am PT on Monday after departing from Edwards Air Force Base in California
