Published：Jun 15, 16:00Last updated：Jun 17, 14:00

US B-52 Bomber Crash at Edwards AFB Kills Eight Crew Members

Jun. 15, 2026 16:00

美国空军一架B-52轰炸机在加州南部莫哈韦沙漠坠毁，机上8人全部遇难。该轰炸机从爱德华兹空军基地起飞不久后坠毁，正在进行例行测试任务。事故原因正在调查中。

Summarized

68News

31Media

Jun. 17, 2026 07:10

A B-52 crash during a test flight in California killed eight people. Tracking data shows the plane made a sharp turn before plunging. The incident is under investigation.

Jun. 17, 2026 14:00

Three different aircraft models have crashed in the U.S. recently, resulting in 21 deaths across Missouri, California, and Texas. Federal investigations are underway to determine the causes of these fatal accidents.

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert on June 15, 2026, killing all eight crew members on board. The aircraft was conducting a routine test mission when it went down near the base at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time, with witnesses reporting the plane made a sharp right turn before plunging nearly a mile per minute. Emergency responders confirmed no survivors at the charred crash site, visible through smoke rising miles away. The incident has prompted a temporary 13-kilometer flight restriction around Edwards AFB as investigations continue.China.org+2

🚨 Crash Details

The B-52H Stratofortress, capable of carrying nuclear weapons and precision-guided munitions, was completely destroyed upon impact. Eyewitnesses described massive fireballs and thick smoke, with the aircraft nearly completing a 180-degree turn before crashing at a rapid rate. Tracking data confirms the sharp maneuver preceded the plunge. Edwards AFB officials confirmed this was one of the deadliest B-52 crashes in recent decades, with all eight crew members perishing in what investigators termed an "unsurvivable" accident. The crew included military personnel, government employees, and civilian contractors, with Boeing confirming two of their employees were among the fatalities.TASS+3

🏗️ Fleet Challenges

The crashed B-52 was part of the U.S. fleet first introduced in 1955, with the H-model variant remaining operational through modernization programs. This incident marks one of three recent fatal aircraft crashes across Missouri, California, and Texas, totaling 21 deaths. The Stratofortress remains critical to U.S. nuclear deterrence despite its age, with 76 active bombers planned to serve until the 2050s. The Air Force has faced mounting challenges maintaining the aging fleet, with this crash reviving concerns about operational readiness. Edwards AFB closed its airport indefinitely following the incident.The Guardian+2

🔍 Extended Investigation

Multiple agencies including the Air Force Safety Center and National Transportation Safety Board are examining potential causes ranging from mechanical failure to human error. Investigators expect the probe could take up to six months, focusing on flight data recorders and maintenance logs of the aircraft that had been in service for over six decades. This marks the first major B-52 incident since 2016, with recovery teams continuing operations at the restricted crash site while the Pentagon withholds preliminary findings.TASS+3

PentagonUS Air ForceMojave DesertB-52 StratofortressEdwards Air Force Base