Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the B-52 bomber crash that killed eight people Monday in California.
Here’s what we know:
What do we know about crashes?
The crash happened during a “routine inspection mission” shortly after 11 a.m. at Edwards Air Force Base.
“Soon after take off, it crashed and burst into flames,” said Col. James Hayes told reporters at a press conference Monday afternoon.
Heavy smoke rose from the airfield of the Air Force.
The cause was not yet known and could take months to confirm.
The mission involved “supporting a state-of-the-art radar system,” Hayes said.
Who was riding?
Eight people were aboard the B-52 and are believed to have died.
Their names have not been released.
Hayes told the media that the relatives of the dead are being notified.
“We have lost eight Americans. This accident is considered unsurvivable,” Hayes told reporters, “and right now, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their loved ones.”
Secretary of the Navy Troy E. Meink added: “We are deeply saddened by the eight lives lost in today’s horrific accident at Edwards AFB. We mourn this loss and honor the service of our Airmen, civilians, and contractors who work every day to advance our mission. My condolences to their families and loved ones.”
A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber takes off from RAF Fairford on March 19 in Fairford, England.
(Leon Neal / Getty Images)
What do we know about the B-52?
The B-52 Stratofortress is described by the military as a “long-range, heavy-duty multi-mission bomber,” and is known as “the backbone of America’s strategic bomber force.”
There are usually five crew members on such an aircraft: a flight commander, a pilot, a radar navigator, a navigator and an electronic warfare officer, according to the Air Force.
The B-52 is famous for its durability and longevity. As Bloomberg reported in 2017: “In the world of powerful bombers, no one has won as long as the Stratofortress of the B-52. The Cold Warrior joined the US arsenal in 1954, eventually becoming part of the nuclear triad that, along with strategic missiles and submarines, was intended to give the Soviet Union little by little the Wall. With its long range, low operating costs and management ability more weapons than any other aircraft, it didn’t make sense to get rid of it Under current bombing plans, the B-52 will fly until 2050 – just shy of its 100th birthday.
The US has been modifying the B-52 to extend its life.
“The B-52 was developed during the Korean War. It was bombed during the Vietnam War. It carried out important missions in Kosovo and the Middle East, and military strategists intend to keep the aircraft until at least 2040. It is still a large, maneuverable aircraft, but over the years, the ships have received new nuclear engines, GPS now tows nuclear weapons. and bombers,” the Times reported in 2013.
“No other fighter jet in the history of the US military has been as effective as the B-52. Other sophisticated fighter jets have come and gone, but the relatively low-end B-52 remains in the US military. It represents about half of all naval bombers,” the paper reported.
