U.S. B-52 Bomber Crashes Shortly After Takeoff; All 8 On Board Presumed Dead

A U.S. B-52 strategic bomber crashed in California on June 15 (local time), with all personnel on board presumed dead, according to U.S. media reports.

According to the Associated Press (AP), CNN, and other outlets, the B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California at 11:20 a.m. that day.

A military official told the AP that all eight crew members on board the bomber are presumed to have died in the accident.

Live coverage from the scene showed black smoke rising, and it was confirmed that almost nothing remained of the aircraft.

Edwards Air Force Base stated on Facebook, "It appears there is virtually nothing left of the aircraft following the crash," adding, "Initial indications are that there were no survivors."

The bomber was reportedly conducting a routine test mission at the time of takeoff.

The exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

Military authorities announced the news via X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene, and the situation is ongoing."

The B-52 Stratofortress is a signature long-range bomber of the U.S. Air Force that has been in service since the 1950s.

Capable of carrying everything from conventional weapons to nuclear missiles, it has been deployed in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, and recent military operations in the Middle East.

Edwards Air Force Base, where the accident occurred, is located in the desert 100 miles (approximately 160 km) north of Los Angeles (LA).

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.