Air Force ID's 8 people killed in B-52 Stratofortress bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California - ABC7 Los Angeles

Published
June 17, 2026
Outcome
Fatal
Location
Edwards Air Force Base, California
runway
View on map
Incident type
Aircraft, Crash

Summary

Car Crash Edwards Air Force Base California in Edwards Air Force Base, California: A Boeing B‐52 Stratofortress crashed during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base, killing all eight crew members on board. The aircraft took off shortly before noon and crashed into the same 15,000‐foot runway, with investigators still determining the cause.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella Unknown Fatal
Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton Driver Fatal
Maj. Alexander Davis Unknown Fatal
Maj. Robert Dee Driver Fatal
Maj. Brad Hovey Driver Fatal
Jeromy Smith Unknown Fatal
Christopher Rischar Unknown Fatal

Original reporting

Air Force ID's 8 people killed in B-52 Stratofortress bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California - ABC7 Los Angeles

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