Eight Dead in B-52 Crash at Edwards Air Force Base

California – (Web Desk) – Eight people are dead after a B-52 crash Edwards Air Force Base that shocked the US military community on Monday. The bomber went down immediately after takeoff during what officials called a routine test mission.

The crash happened at 11:20 AM local time. A huge cloud of black smoke rose into the sky and could be seen from miles away across the Mojave Desert.

Colonel James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, confirmed the loss. “Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a terrible tragedy, and we lost eight great Americans,” he said.

The crew was made up of military personnel, government civilians, and contractors. Boeing also confirmed that two of its employees were among those killed. The company is in contact with their families.

Officials reviewed early footage of the crash and called it “unrecoverable and unsurvivable.” The crash was fully contained within the base boundary and did not affect surrounding areas.

The B-52 was supporting a radar modernisation programme at the time. The airfield was shut down after the incident and all incoming aircraft were diverted. The base also suspended all non-commercial visitor passes.

No cause has been confirmed yet. A full investigation could take up to 30 days. A deeper technical review may take more than six months, Hayes said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom called it “a tragic incident” and offered his condolences to the families and the Edwards community.

The B-52 Stratofortress has served the US Air Force since the 1950s. It normally carries a crew of five but had eight people on board during this flight.