A B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday, killing all eight people on board. The aircraft, operated by the 412th Test Wing, was participating in a routine test mission associated with a radar modernization program.
Tracking data released on Tuesday showed the bomber made a sharp right turn and nearly completed a 180-degree maneuver before plunging to the ground at a descent rate of nearly 5,056 feet per minute—roughly ten times faster than a normal landing approach.
The crash occurred at the remote base in Kern County, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, in the Mojave Desert. Aerial footage revealed virtually nothing left of the aircraft.
Officials confirmed that no one could have survived after reviewing video of the crash. The eight victims included government contractors and uniformed military personnel.
Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, confirmed that two of its employees were on board.
Edwards Air Force Base remained closed on Tuesday as crews worked to make the crash site safe for search and recovery teams. Fires flared up overnight, complicating the effort.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and investigators said it could take up to six months to complete the inquiry. The flight tracking data, derived from a multilateration system, did not provide precise altitude or speed but indicated the bomber lost altitude rapidly after turning.
Colonel James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, stated that the aircraft was supporting a radar modernization program. In 2025, Boeing sent a B-52 to Edwards with a modern Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system, designed to replace 1960s-era technology and improve navigation and targeting.
It is unclear if the crashed aircraft was the same one equipped with that system. The B-52, which first entered service in 1955, is scheduled for further upgrades, including new engines and avionics, to keep it flying through at least 2050.
Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti, a former investigator for the FAA and NTSB, said the rapid crash suggests a flight control problem, possibly due to incorrect rigging after maintenance, a catastrophic engine failure, or a malfunction in the test equipment. "I think it was definitely a controllability issue," Guzzetti said.
The B-52 was taking off from Edwards, a key site for Air Force test and development since 1947, when Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier there.
The accident is the latest in a series of fatal training incidents in the U.S. Air Force in recent years, including a 2024 ejection seat accident in Texas and a 2022 Humvee accident during an ROTC exercise in Idaho.
In response to the crash, Edwards Air Force Base opened an Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) at the Military and Family Readiness Center to offer resources and support to those impacted. The EFAC is available to all personnel, including active duty, civilian, and contractor members, and operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. Services include chaplain support, disaster mental health services, childcare assistance, legal counsel, and additional on- and off-base resources.
In a social media post, base officials said, "Let us keep the families, friends and squadron members of our fallen teammates in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. Stand together, support one another and remain Edwards Strong." Emergency and investigation officials continue to move forward with their response, and more information is expected to be available Wednesday, June 17.
On Tuesday, the first victim was identified as Lieutenant Colonel Miles Middleton, who leaves behind a wife, Pam Middleton, and two children. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $60,000 as of mid-day Tuesday to support family expenses and education funds for the children.
Middleton was assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron, which encompasses the Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force, and a photo on the Air Force base website shows him taking the squadron guidon during a change of command ceremony. The crash occurred at 11:20 a.m.
local time, and authorities continue to notify next of kin. The report was originally published by Stars and Stripes on June 16, 2026, with additional details from Gary Warner.
Another victim has been identified as Jeromy Smith, a flight test engineer who had worked at Edwards for 10 years. His wife, Lauren Smith, remembered him as a leader and a hero.
The couple had just celebrated their four-year wedding anniversary on June 11. Jeromy leaves behind two children, a two-year-old and a four-month-old baby.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support Lauren and her children.