Eight people were killed after a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California, according to base officials. Deputy commander James Hayes confirmed the fatalities, saying “We lost eight great Americans” during a press briefing.
The aircraft went down around 11:20 a.m. local time (18:20 GMT), with officials stating that it was on a routine test mission at the time of the accident. Aerial footage from the scene showed the plane almost completely destroyed after impact. Emergency crews were deployed immediately, but early assessments indicated there were no survivors.
Base officials said the entire airfield was shut down following the crash, forcing inbound flights to be diverted elsewhere. Authorities also confirmed that an interim safety board has been formed to collect preliminary evidence before a full investigation is launched. Officials estimate the full investigative process could take up to six months.
Investigators have not yet determined what caused the crash. The base, located roughly 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, is a key U.S. Air Force installation known for conducting advanced aircraft testing programs, including classified operations.
