A B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California, on Monday, killing all eight people on board. The aircraft, part of a radar modernization test program, went down in a fiery crash that left virtually no wreckage intact.
Flight tracking data from AirNav Systems shows the bomber made a sharp right turn after takeoff, nearly completing a 180-degree turn before plunging to the ground at a descent rate of 5,056 feet per minute—approximately 10 times faster than a normal landing descent. The crash occurred on another runway at the base, which remained closed Tuesday as crews worked to make the site safe for search and recovery teams.
Officials said it could take up to six months to determine the cause. The B-52, which first entered service in 1955, was undergoing testing as part of a program to keep the fleet flying through at least 2050.
The modernized Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system, designed by Raytheon, replaced 1960s-era radar technology to improve navigation and targeting. Col.
James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, confirmed that the aircraft was supporting a radar modernization program. Among the deceased were two Boeing employees and other government contractors and uniformed military personnel.
Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti, a former FAA and NTSB investigator, suggested a flight control malfunction, engine failure, or a problem with the new testing equipment as possible causes. The base, located in the Mojave Desert about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, is a key hub for Air Force aircraft testing and development.
The crash is being investigated by military authorities, with aerial footage showing the devastating impact. The B-52 fleet, consisting of 76 aircraft, is scheduled for further upgrades including new engines and avionics to complement the newer B-21 Raider bomber.