Eight Presumed Dead After B-52 Bomber Crashes Following Takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base

 

iSpyVNY news - June 15, 2026

 

Edwards Air Force Base, CA — All eight people aboard a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber are presumed dead after the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on Monday morning, June 15.

 

The bomber went down at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time during what officials described as a routine test mission at the Mojave Desert installation. Emergency crews responded immediately, but military officials said the crash appeared unsurvivable.

 

“We lost eight great Americans,” Col. James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, said after reviewing footage of the accident.

 

The B-52 crashed within the Edwards airfield shortly after departure. The identities of those on board have not yet been released pending family notification.

 

Air Force officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Base operations were temporarily suspended as emergency personnel secured the scene and began recovery efforts.

 

The aircraft was assigned to the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, a key center for military flight testing and aerospace development. According to reports, the asset had a range of approximately 8,000 miles before refueling was necessary.