8 killed as B-52 crashes and bursts into flames in California

Published
June 15, 2026
Outcome
Fatal
Location
Edwards Air Force Base, California
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Incident type
Crash, Aircraft, Fire

Summary

Car Crash Edwards Air Force Base California in Edwards Air Force Base, California: A U.S. Air Force B‐52 Stratofortress crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California, killing all eight crew members on board. The aircraft was conducting a routine test mission for the radar modernization program when it went down at 11:20 a.m., and emergency crews were unable to recover survivors.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Unnamed Pilot Driver Fatal
Unnamed navigator Unknown Fatal
Unnamed flight engineer Unknown Fatal
Unnamed weapon systems officer Unknown Fatal
Unnamed airborne operations officer Unknown Fatal
Unnamed ground support personnel Unknown Fatal

Original reporting

8 killed as B-52 crashes and bursts into flames in California

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