Eight people aboard B-52 bomber confirmed dead in horrific California crash, Air Force says

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

Summary

Car Crash Edwards California in Edwards, California: A B‐52 bomber crashed and caught fire shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California. Eight people aboard-military personnel and two Boeing contractors-were killed. The aircraft was on a routine test mission when it went down at about 11:20 a.m. local time.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Unnamed Pilot Driver Fatal
Unnamed navigator Unknown Fatal
Unnamed radar navigator Unknown Fatal
Unnamed electronic warfare officer Unknown Fatal
Unnamed contractor Unknown Fatal

Original reporting

Eight people aboard B-52 bomber confirmed dead in horrific California crash, Air Force says

Related accident news