Eight killed in B-52 bomber crash at California Air Force base
Eight dead after US Air Force B-52 bomber crashes in California
Eight people died Monday when a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed immediately after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California, according to reports from Public Radio of Armenia citing the BBC.
The aircraft was on a routine test mission when it went down at 11:20 a.m. local time, sending a large plume of black smoke visible for miles. The crash killed a mixed crew of military personnel, government civilians, and government contractors, including two Boeing employees.
Col. James Hayes, addressing the base, called it "a terrible tragedy" and described those lost as "great Americans." Officials indicated the crash "was not survivable." The incident remained contained within the base runway area. Edwards Air Force Base temporarily grounded operations following the accident. Next of kin notifications were underway, with crew identities to be released 24 hours after notification completion.