B-52 bomber crash was 'tragic' and 'unsurvivable', says US Air Force Colonel

Описание: A B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert and burst into flames on Monday, killing all eight people aboard, military officials said. Aerial footage showed virtually nothing left of the aircraft, which went down around 11:20 a.m. during a routine test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, north of Los Angeles. Black smoke rose from a large swath of charred desert near the runway, with emergency vehicles nearby.

The eight victims included four active-duty airmen, one reservist, and three civilians. The bomber was participating in a program designed to keep the oldest aircraft in the U.S. fleet flying for decades to come. It took off shortly before noon on a clear day, flew straight ahead, and then crashed on the same 15,000-foot runway.

Officials said the compact wreckage indicated the plane dropped sharply and determined that no one could have survived. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and investigators estimate it could take up to six months to complete their inquiry.

The airfield remained closed Tuesday as crews worked to secure the crash site for search-and-recovery teams after overnight flare-ups, although other base operations had resumed, according to a base spokesperson.


Watch more on Independent TV: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ukx9n

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded.

Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent

Find us on social:
TikTok /   / independent  
Instagram /   / the.independent  
X (Twitter) /   / independent  
Facebook /   / theindependentonline  

Download the iOS & Android app: https://tinyurl.com/2s3ts5dh
Sign up to our newsletters: https://tinyurl.com/2bmw565x

Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust: https://www.independent.co.uk/donations