A B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff near Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday. Videos shared on social media showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky moments after the aircraft went down.
According to the social media statement from the Edwards Air Force Base, the B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at 11:20 am.
The base in the statement confirmed that the situation is ongoing. “Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing.
Read more: Edwards Air Force Base crash LIVE: Tragic videos from scene as B-52 Stratofortress goes down
Large column of smoke rising from the crash site
Videos circulating online showed a large column of smoke rising from the desert landscape near the base.
Emergency personnel were seen putting out a fire in a sizable burned section of Edwards Air Force Base’s runway in a video that Fox News aired on Monday.
The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range bomber that was initially introduced in the 1950s and is now a key component of the U.S. military’s air force. It usually has a crew of five.
Information about the crew’s condition and whether any injuries or fatalities occurred has not yet been made public by the authorities. The cause of the crash is being investigated, according to officials.
Constructed by Boeing, the aircraft has been utilized in actions spanning from Vietnam to the Iran War and can transport both conventional and nuclear weapons over great distances.
Read more: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress price and details: How much does the bomber plane cost?
The base has closed the airfield
At Edwards Air Force Base, the Air Force and NASA test new and developing aircraft.
All incoming aircraft are being redirected, according to the base, which has closed the airfield.
The statement from their social media read, “The airfield has been closed, and all inbound aircraft are being diverted. Additionally, all non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations.”
The largest airfield in the world is situated at this base, which is north of Los Angeles. There are over 10,000 military personnel, contractors, and civilian employees working there.
(This is a developing story)
