A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashes shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California, according to the Pentagon and the base. Multiple outlets report the aircraft goes down in the Mojave Desert area shortly after leaving the runway. The New York Times and other sources say emergency crews respond to the crash site. Bloomberg and the Pentagon characterize the incident as occurring “shortly after takeoff.” GMA News Online and other reporting that the aircraft catches fire and that there are fatalities among those onboard, citing Air Force officials; one report says all eight crew members die. Other outlets note there is no immediate public casualty information, reflecting the early stage of reporting. The B-52 Stratofortress is described as an aircraft designed to carry nuclear and conventional weapons. The US military does not immediately provide a confirmed cause in the excerpts provided. Officials are conducting response and initial assessments as the investigation into what led to the crash is underway.