A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashes at Edwards Air Force Base in California, shortly after takeoff, with eight people aboard, officials say. Multiple outlets report that base officials believe the crash is not survivable, with the eight individuals presumed or feared dead. RTE and other coverage describes the scene as heavily damaged, with major fire and visible destruction of the aircraft. Reports also note that the B-52 is on a test or routine mission, though specific mission details are not consistent across accounts.
Officials confirm that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Coverage based on statements from Edwards Air Force Base indicates that information about the crew’s identities has not been released or is not yet available publicly. The aircraft is reported to have gone down during the initial phase after departure from the base in Southern California/Mojave Desert area. News organizations across regions repeat that no survivors have been reported and that the focus remains on confirming details and investigating contributing factors.
