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B-52 Bomber Crashes Shortly After Takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 15. Eight people aboard died in the crash, which occurred during a routine test mission as part of the Radar Modernization Program.
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A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California at 11:20 a.m. on June 15. The aircraft was carrying eight people on a routine test mission when it went down on or near the base's main runway. Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable.
Emergency crews responded immediately to the scene.
Officials closed the airfield and diverted all inbound aircraft while suspending non-commercial visitor passes. A press conference later that day provided further details from Air Force Col. James Hayes, Deputy Commander at 412th Test Wing. He stated that footage review confirmed the incident was unrecoverable.
“An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after take-off at 11:20 a.m. (PDT). The answers might not be known for upwards of six months. The B-52 was participating in the Radar Modernization Program and had received a new AESA radar as part of fleet upgrades. Officials said operations at the base would stand down the following day primarily due to runway conditions. Boeing issued a statement mourning the loss, noting two of its employees were among those killed. This marks the second U.S. military aircraft crash in three days, following an F/A-18D Hornet incident near Mount Rainier on June 13 where both crew members ejected safely.”
