A United States (US) Air Force B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday, June 15.
According to Edwards Air Force Base, the bomber went down at the airfield around 11:20 a.m. local time. Rescue crews immediately rushed to the scene and initiated rescue operations. Authorities have not yet revealed the cause of the crash or the condition of people on board the plane.
Several videos of the crash emerged on social media showing a large plume of smoke rising near the airfield. The footage quickly went viral as emergency services worked on the scene.
The B-52 Stratofortress is one of the US military’s most iconic long-range bombers and has been in active service for more than seven decades.
The aircraft is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons and is typically operated by a crew of five.
Edwards Air Force Base, located in California’s Mojave Desert, is one of the United States Air Force’s premier aviation test facilities and serves as the home of the 412th Test Wing and the Air Force Test Pilot School.
The crash comes at a time when the U.S. military continues to rely on the aging but highly capable bomber fleet as it pursues modernization efforts aimed at extending the operational life of the B-52.
Officials said more information about the incident will be released as the investigation progresses.
