Eight presumed dead after B-52 bomber crashes at California air force base

A B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed on Monday morning at Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert, shortly after taking off for a routine test mission. Officials from the base stated that the aircraft was carrying eight people and that initial indications suggest the crash was not survivable. Emergency response personnel were on the scene, and efforts were underway to account for all personnel aboard the aircraft. The incident occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. Pacific Time. Edwards Air Force Base is a key facility for testing and development of aerospace systems, located in Kern County, California. The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber that has been in service with the United States Air Force since 1955. This particular aircraft was on a test mission at the time of the crash. Further details regarding the cause of the crash and the identities of the crew members are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.