A B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday at Edwards Air Force Base in California, according to military officials. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m.
local time in the high desert region of Kern County. The aircraft, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, was conducting a routine training mission when it went down.
All five crew members aboard ejected safely and were transported to a nearby medical facility for evaluation. Their conditions were not immediately disclosed, but initial reports indicate no life-threatening injuries.
The crash sparked a brush fire in the area, which was quickly contained by base fire crews. Edwards Air Force Base, located about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, is a major center for flight testing and training.
The B-52 has been a cornerstone of U.S. strategic bombing capabilities since the 1950s.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, led by the Air Force Safety Center. The base remains operational, but the runway used for the takeoff is temporarily closed.
The incident comes as the Air Force continues to modernize its aging bomber fleet, with the B-52 expected to remain in service through the 2050s.