A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday, June 15, 2026, near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California. The incident occurred around 11:20 a.m.
local time, according to officials at the base, which is situated in the Mojave Desert, approximately 100 miles north of Los Angeles, straddling Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties.
Emergency crews responded immediately to the crash site, and the situation remained ongoing as of Monday afternoon. The Air Force has not released details on the number of personnel aboard the aircraft or any potential casualties.
In a statement, Edwards AFB confirmed that a B-52 Stratofortress had crashed shortly after takeoff on the airfield, adding that more information would be provided as it becomes available. California State Senator Shannon Grove, whose district includes the base, posted on social media asking for prayers for the crew and the Edwards community.
The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic heavy bomber that has been in service since 1955. It can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance and is capable of reaching altitudes of up to 50,000 feet.
The aircraft is used for a variety of missions, including strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, and maritime operations.
Edwards Air Force Base, established in 1942 on what was then Muroc Dry Lake, has grown to over 300,000 acres and serves as a town with more than 11,000 residents, roughly 20% military and 80% civilian. The last crash at the base occurred on May 18, 1992, when a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise crashed during landing, killing two crew members and injuring seven passengers.
According to the Aviation Safety Network, which is part of the Flight Safety Foundation, the B-52 has experienced 119 crashes since its introduction, including Monday's incident. The most recent prior crash was at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on February 23, 2024.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash near Edwards.