8 crew members killed when a B-52 bomber crashes at California’s Edwards Air Force Base

Published
June 16, 2026
Outcome
Fatal
Location
Edwards, California
runway at Edwards Air Force Base
View on map
Incident type
Aircraft, Crash

Summary

Car Crash Edwards California in Edwards, California: A B‐52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on a routine test mission, killing all eight crew members aboard. The crash left a large blackened scar on the runway and charred wreckage in the Mojave Desert.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Jeromy Smith Unknown Fatal
Unnamed Pilot Driver Fatal
Unnamed Crew Unknown Fatal

Original reporting

8 crew members killed when a B-52 bomber crashes at California’s Edwards Air Force Base | News | kake.com

Related accident news