US Air Force B-52 crashes after takeoff at Edwards AFB

A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday, June 15, 2026. The incident occurred on the base's airfield at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time, according to official statements.

Emergency crews responded immediately to the scene. Video and photographs from the area showed a large plume of black smoke rising from the desert landscape. The airfield was closed following the crash, with inbound aircraft diverted and non-commercial visitor passes suspended to allow emergency operations to proceed.

The status of the crew was not immediately known. The B-52 typically operates with a crew of five, including two pilots, a radar navigator, navigator, and an electronic warfare officer. Officials have not released information on potential injuries or fatalities. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Edwards Air Force Base, located in Kern County in the Mojave Desert about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, is the Air Force's premier flight test center. Aircraft stationed there are frequently used for developmental testing and modernization programs. The base is home to the 412th Test Wing, which...