A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert, and officials said eight people on board were feared or presumed dead. Reports said the aircraft went down during a routine test mission, emergency crews responded to the scene, and the cause of the crash had not been determined.

Edwards Air Force Base said emergency responders were on the scene.

Officials say a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in California's Mojave Desert.

An official said an investigation could take up to six months and noted the B-52 in question was involved in a "radar modernization program."