Eight crew members were killed after a B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff during a routine test mission at Edwards Air Force Base in California on June 15, according to CNN. Air Force officials described the accident as "tragic and unsurvivable."
The report said the aircraft was supporting a radar modernization program when it went down minutes after departing the base. The crew included military personnel, government civilians and contractors. Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among those killed.
According to Air Force officials, the crash left extensive damage to the runway and surrounding desert terrain. Authorities have begun notifying families, while flight operations at the base have been temporarily suspended.
Military investigators will examine maintenance records, flight data and other evidence to determine the cause of the crash. According to CNN, findings from the investigation are not expected for several months.
The B-52 remains a key part of the U.S. Air Force fleet despite first entering service in 1955.
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🚨SHOCKING | Eight people, including two Boeing employees killed after U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed moments after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California pic.twitter.com/EzFyKKpwWW
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