Edwards Air Force Base said all eight people on board a U.S. B-52 bomber that crashed in California on Monday were feared dead, and photos from the scene showed fire that appeared to destroy the plane.
The crash occurred around lunchtime at the base, a major U.S. military operations center about 60 miles north of Los Angeles.
“An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress with eight people aboard crashed shortly after takeoff at 11:20 a.m. today. Initial indications are that there were no survivors,” a statement from Edwards Air Force Base said.
“Emergency responders are on scene and officials are working to determine the whereabouts of all individuals,” the statement said, adding that the incident was under investigation.
The base said on social media that the airport was closed and all incoming aircraft had been rerouted.
“All non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice to allow the facility to fully focus on emergency response operations.”
A spokesman for the base declined to provide any further information.
Aerial footage showed large scorched areas on the ground.
There appeared to be very little left of the plane, and a reporter aboard a broadcast helicopter spoke of the “large amounts” of black smoke seen after the crash.
Numerous emergency vehicles were visible from the large burned area.
The B-52 is a heavy bomber that first flew in 1954 and was originally designed for use in the war with the Soviet Union. Since the end of the Cold War, it has been continuously upgraded to enable it to serve for decades.
The large bomber has a wingspan of 185 feet and a length of 159 feet, and can carry a range of weapons including bombs and cruise missiles.
The aircraft typically has a crew of five: an aircraft commander, a pilot, a radar navigator, a navigator and an electronic warfare officer, according to an Air Force fact sheet about the aircraft.
The aircraft has a combat range of up to 8,800 miles and is capable of carrying nuclear payloads.
The United States has deployed the aircraft in conflicts in Vietnam, the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan and, most recently, Iran.
Mercury/MD
This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.
