Eight killed in B-52 bomber crash at US Air Force base in California

WASHINGTON, June 16 (YPA) – A B-52 Stratofortress bomber belonging to the United States Air Force reportedly crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday at Edwards Air Force Base in California, killing all eight people aboard, US media reported, citing officials.

Aerial footage showed virtually nothing left of the aircraft that went down around 11:20 a.m. during a routine test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, which is north of Los Angeles.

Black smoke rose from a large swath of charred desert near the runway on the base, with emergency vehicles nearby.

Those on the B-52 included government contractors and uniformed military, The Associated Press reported. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing confirmed Monday evening that two of its employees were on board.

After reviewing footage of the crash, it was determined that no one could have survived, Col. James Hayes, the deputy commander for the 412-test wing at Edwards, said at a news conference.

“We lost eight great Americans,” Hayes said, adding that officials were working to notify their families.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, and it could take up to six months to complete an investigation, Hayes said, but shared that the B-52 was supporting the “radar modernization program.”

Preliminary estimates suggest that the damage could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, as a B-52 Stratofortress is valued at approximately $500 million.

Edwards Air Force Base is located about 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Los Angeles.

@E.Y.M