Eight people dead after US Air Force B-52 crash

Two Boeing employees were onboard

The large aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from Edwards Air Force Base on the US West Coast at around 11:20 local time (19:20) GMT, yesterday (15 June).

Images from the aftermath showed thick black smoke billowing into the air which could be seen for miles around.

The aircraft was carrying a mixed crew of military, government civilian and government contractors - two of which were Boeing employees.

Col James Hayes said: "Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a terrible tragedy, and we lost eight great Americans."

A press release from the base issued just after the crash read: "An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after take-off at 11:20.

"Initial indication are that the crash was not survivable. Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel.

"The crash is currently under investigation."

Hayes said that the crash was "totally contained within the air base on the runway

The B-52 had been supporting the base's radar modernisation programme, he said, and crashed immediately after take-off and burst into flames.

No cause has yet been determined and it could take sometime to complete full investigation.

A B-52. Credit: Adobe Stock.

Boeing confirmed the news in a separate statement that two of its employees had been among those onboard.

It said: "We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the eight crew members that lost their lives in the B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm that two Boeing employees were among those on board. We are in contact with their families and are offering support."

The B-52 is a veteran of the US Air Force, being officially introduced in 1955.

The aircraft is famous for it's dark smoky exhausts, huge wing span and eight engines.

It is one of the US' long-range strategic bombers that has been participating in raids during the US-Israeli war in Iran.