Eight Die in B-52 Crash at Edwards Air Force Base

Eight people died when a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base on Monday morning.

Edwards Air Force Base said in a news release that initial indications showed the crash was not survivable. At an afternoon news conference, base officials confirmed the deaths.

"Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a terrible tragedy and we lost eight great Americans," Col. James Hayes said.

The aircraft carried a mixed crew of military personnel, government civilians and government contractors on a test mission for a radar modernization program. Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among those on board.

"We are in contact with their families and are offering support," Boeing said in a news release.

Aerial footage taken shortly after the crash showed a large smoldering burn mark on the ground.

The plane was on a routine test mission at the base, located in the western Mojave Desert about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. It went down around 11:20 a.m. local time and burst into flames.

"After reviewing the footage of the crash, it was deemed that this was an unrecoverable crash, and unsurvivable," Hayes said. Next of kin notifications are underway.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members. This is a tragedy," Hayes said.

The airfield is closed and all inbound aircraft are being diverted, base officials said in an earlier statement. All non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice.

The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy, jet-powered strategic bomber. Officials said there is no indication yet of what caused the crash.

"We won't be able to release that information, and we don't have an ability to get that any time soon," Hayes said. The investigation process can take up to six months.

"May GOD shepard the souls of these incredible Americans — and watch over their families," U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote on X.

This is a developing story.