B-52 bomber crash highlights: 8 crew members dead as jet goes down after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base

B-52 Bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Emergency crews responded. Follow live updates from Kern County.

Summary

A B-52 Stratofortress crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday morning. Check updates from the crash as it happened.

A B-52 Stratofortress bomber named "Diamond Lil" is displayed on the grounds of the United States Air Force Academy. (Representational) (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A B-52 Stratofortress bomber with the US Air Force crashed Monday after takeoff at the Edwards Air Force Base in ​California. The Edwards Air Force Base confirmed the crash in an update on X....Read More

Follow all the updates here:

• 16 Jun 2026, 05:23:57 AM IST

  Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: Official shares details of crash

  In the presser on Monday afternoon, Edwards AFB officials said that it was a test flight during which the B-52 crashed.

  “It was a B-52 that was on initial takeoff supporting the radar modernization program which is a test,” the official said. "It took off and immediately after takeoff crashed and burst into flames.

  “Our team of first responders snapped into action and immediately took, cordoned off the area and took the appropriate action to start putting out the flames.”

• 16 Jun 2026, 05:22:08 AM IST

  Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: AFB to notify kin of 8 ‘great Americans’

  An official with the Edwards AFB said at a presser earlier that “eight great Americans” lost their lives in the crash.

  “Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a horrible tragedy and we lost eight great Americans,” the official said. "This crash is deemed to be unsurvivable and right now our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those that lost their loved ones.

  "We're sending teams out to notify the next of kin right now as we speak and those next of kin notifications will take place over the coming hours and remainder of the day.

• 16 Jun 2026, 04:09:31 AM IST

  Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: Base to hold presser at 4:15pm PDT

  Edwards Air Force Base is set to host a press conference at 4:15pm PDT on the tragic crash earlier today, they said in an update.

• 16 Jun 2026, 04:01:26 AM IST

  Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: AFB says eight people feared dead

  Edwards Air Force Base said in an update shortly before 3:30pm PDT that eight people were abord the B-52 bomber that crashed shortly after takeoff. "Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable," the base said.

• 16 Jun 2026, 02:02:56 AM IST

  Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: Airfield closed as emergency response continues

  Update- 12:48 PDT: The airfield has been closed, and all inbound aircraft are being diverted.
  
  All non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations.

  — Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) June 15, 2026

• 16 Jun 2026, 01:36:08 AM IST

  Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: A B-52 bomber costs over $84 million

  The B-52 bomber that crashed Monday afternoon is manufactured by aircraft maker Boeing and costs over $84 million per unit.

• 16 Jun 2026, 01:31:57 AM IST

  Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: Details of injuries and damage unclear

  As of now, officials have not released details on injuries as the emergency response continues. The B-52 bomber can carry two pilots and up to five crew members at a time. Details of how many were on board at the time of the crash Monday have not yet been released.

• 16 Jun 2026, 01:22:44 AM IST

  Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: Base shares details of response

• 16 Jun 2026, 01:18:16 AM IST

  Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: Videos show emergency response in Kern County