Eight killed as U.S. B-52 crashes during routine test flight in California

Eight American crew members were killed overnight, between Monday and Tuesday, when a B-52 bomber crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The U.S. military said the aircraft went down shortly after takeoff during a routine test mission.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but initial indications suggest no one could have survived the deadly accident. The victims included civilians, government employees, contractors, and military personnel.

The U.S. Air Force commander expressed condolences to the families of those killed. In a post on the service’s official X account, the Air Force said, "We sadly confirm the tragic death of eight of our crew members following the crash of a B-52 aircraft. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones."