A B-52 Stratofortress bomber carrying eight people onboard crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday at Edwards Air Force Base, California, the base posted on social media.
“Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable,” the 412th Test Wing said in a statement shortly after 3 p.m. PDT. “Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel.”
The crash took place at 11:20 a.m. PDT, according to Edwards Air Force Base. The 412th Test Wing said that the B-52 was on a “routine test mission” and that the crash is currently under investigation.
The crash is the latest in string of military flight mishaps in recent weeks.
Two Navy EA-18G Growlers collided midair during an airshow at Mountain Home Air Force Base on May 17. On June 13, a Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet crashed near Mount Rainier during a training flight, with the pilot ejecting.
Last year a B-52 doing a low-level pass over a North Dakota fairground forced a civilian plane to make sharp turns to avoid the bomber.
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
Update: 6/15/2026; This article was updated with the 412th Test Wing’s latest statement on the crash.
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