CALIFORNIA (Kaab TV) – A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday, killing all eight people on board, military officials confirmed.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. on June 15, 2026, during what authorities described as a routine local test sortie linked to an ongoing radar modernization program. The aircraft went down within the base perimeter shortly after takeoff.
According to initial reports, the bomber crashed at high impact and immediately burst into flames, leaving a heavily burned area near the runway with minimal recoverable wreckage. Air Force officials, after reviewing available footage, described the accident as “unsurvivable.”
The eight victims included a mix of U.S. Air Force active-duty personnel, Department of Defense civilian employees, and civilian contractors. Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among those killed.
Edwards Air Force Base, located in California’s Mojave Desert, is a key U.S. military facility used for advanced and experimental flight testing. Officials said the aircraft was participating in a controlled test mission when the crash occurred.
While the exact cause remains under investigation, early assessments suggest a possible mechanical or flight control failure. Military authorities warned that a full investigation could take up to six months to determine the cause of the accident.
Emergency response teams remain deployed at the base as the site is secured and recovery operations continue, while aviation safety investigators begin a detailed technical review of the crash.