Eight Killed in B-52 Bomber Crash at Edwards Air Force Base
نظرة سريعة
- A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California on Monday, killing all eight people on board.
- The aircraft was on a routine test mission when the incident occurred at 11:20 local time.
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لماذا يهم
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range strategic bomber that has been in service with the US military since the 1950s. It is nicknamed 'the Buff'.
Eight people have been killed after a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber plane "crashed shortly after take off" from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California, the base said in a statement.
The incident occurred at 11:20 local time (19:20 GMT) on Monday. The aircraft was on a routine test mission before the crash, which sent a huge plume of black smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.
The base had earlier said that initial indications are that the crash "was not survivable" and emergency crews immediately responded to the scene.
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been used by the US military since the 1950s. It is nicknamed "the Buff", which is partly short for "Big Ugly Fat".
In a later update on X, the base said that "the airfield has been closed, and all inbound aircraft are being diverted".
"All non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations."
The B-52 is a long-range strategic bomber that has been participating in bombing raids on Iran during the latest US-Israeli war on the country.
Capable of flying at up to 50,000 feet (commercial airliners fly around 35,000 feet) the colossal bomber's 70,000lb payload can include hundreds of conventional bombs and 32 nuclear cruise missiles.
It can refuel in mid-air - giving it a potentially unlimited strike range. This created a "nuclear umbrella" for the United States during the Cold War, back in the era of Mutually Assured Destruction.
Congressman Jay Obernolte, whose district includes the base, posted on Facebook that he and his wife "are praying for everyone involved in today's B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base, especially the crew, their families, and the first responders on scene".
Michigan Republican Congresswoman Lisa McClain was also among the lawmakers posting about the crash, writing on X: "My prayers are with everyone involved in the B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base this afternoon."
أسئلة مفتوحة
- What caused the crash?
- Were there any mechanical failures?
- What was the specific nature of the test mission?
