By Maryam Shuaibu
A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California, killing all eight people believed to have been on board, according to reports by Reuters.
The aircraft reportedly went down on Sunday near the military installation in the Mojave Desert, triggering an emergency response and forcing authorities to temporarily halt flight operations at the base.
Air Force officials and sources familiar with the incident told Reuters that none of the occupants is believed to have survived the crash. The identities of the victims had not been officially released as of the time of filing this report.
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among those aboard the bomber during the flight.
According to reports, the aircraft was participating in a routine test mission linked to an ongoing radar modernisation programme for the B-52 fleet when the accident occurred.
The B-52 Stratofortress remains a key part of the United States’ long-range strategic bombing capability despite having been introduced during the Cold War era. The aircraft is currently undergoing several upgrades aimed at extending its service life for decades.
Images and video footage from the crash scene showed extensive fire damage, while emergency personnel were deployed to secure the area and begin recovery efforts.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the cause of the crash. Investigators are expected to examine flight data, maintenance history, weather conditions and other operational factors to determine what led to the accident.
Officials have not indicated whether mechanical failure, human error or any other factor may have contributed to the crash.