US B-52 bomber crashes on takeoff killing all 8 on board

0 June 16, 2026 08:00

A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber has crashed during takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert, tragically killing all eight people on board.

Military officials confirmed the heavy strategic warplane went down on the runway just after leaving the ground, sending a massive plume of thick black smoke into the sky that was visible for miles.

Air Force Colonel James Hayes revealed the flight was a routine test mission supporting a radar modernisation programme.

The ‘mixed crew’ included military personnel, government civilians, and contractors.

Aviation giant Boeing, which built the legendary aircraft, confirmed two of its employees were among the dead.

The incident has been deemed completely ‘unsurvivable’ by officials, and a massive investigation into the cause is now underway.

Runway operations at the major testing base have been grounded as a result of the destruction. This marks the first B-52 crash since 2016.

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