Eight people, including two Boeing employees, have been killed after a US Air Force B-52 crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California.
The incident occurred at 11:20 local time on Monday during a routine test mission. The crash sent a large plume of black smoke into the air, visible for miles, the BBC reported.
“Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a terrible tragedy, and we lost eight great Americans,” Colonel James Hayes said, describing the victims as a mixed crew of military personnel, government civilians and contractors.
The base earlier said initial indications suggested the crash “was not survivable.”
Hayes said the next of kin are being notified, and names of the victims will be released 24 hours after all families have been informed.
The B-52 was supporting the base’s radar modernisation programme and crashed immediately after takeoff before bursting into flames.
No cause has yet been determined. Officials said investigations have been launched and could take up to 30 days.
In a separate statement, Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among those onboard and said it is in contact with their families.
California Governor Gavin Newsom described the crash as “a tragic incident” in a post on X, offering condolences to the victims’ families and the Edwards Air Force Base community.
B-52 aircraft typically carry a crew of five — an aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer.
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