A United States 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 on the airfield around 11:20 a.m. local time. Emergency teams immediately rushed to the scene and launched rescue operations. Authorities have not yet revealed the cause of the accident or the condition of the people on board the aircraft.
Several videos of the accident appeared on social media, showing a large column of black smoke rising near the airfield. The images quickly went viral as first responders worked at the scene.
The B-52 Stratofortress is one of the US military’s most iconic long-range bombers and has remained in active service for more than seven decades.
The aircraft is capable of carrying conventional and nuclear weapons and is normally operated by a crew of five.
Edwards Air Force Base, located in California’s Mojave Desert, is one of the U.S. Air Force’s largest aviation test facilities and is home to the 412th Test Wing and the Air Force Test Pilot School.
The crash comes as the U.S. military remains reliant on the aging but highly capable bomber fleet as it pursues modernization efforts aimed at extending the operational life of the B-52.
Authorities said more information about the incident will be released as the investigation continues.
