US air force names eight killed in Boeing B-52 test flight crash in California

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

Summary

Car Crash Edwards California in Edwards, California: A Boeing B‐52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday at Edwards Air Force Base, killing all eight people aboard. The aircraft was on a test flight when it struck the same 15,000‐ft runway and broke apart.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Col Gregory Watson Unknown Fatal
retired Lt Col Miles Middleton Unknown Fatal
Lt Col Gabriel Estrella Unknown Fatal
Maj Alexander Davis Unknown Fatal
Maj Robert Dee Unknown Fatal
Maj Brad Hovey Unknown Fatal
Jeromy Smith Unknown Fatal
Christopher Rischar Unknown Fatal

Original reporting

US air force names eight killed in Boeing B-52 test flight crash in California | California | The Guardian

Related accident news