A B-52 Stratofortress crashed during a test flight at California's Edwards Air Force Base, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including Air Force personnel, government contractors, and Boeing employees. The aircraft was airborne for approximately three minutes and 15 seconds before the crash, which occurred shortly after 11:20 a.m. local time. Flight tracking data indicated the bomber descended at a rate of 5,056 feet per minute, nearly a mile per minute, significantly faster than typical landing rates.
The bomber had completed a nearly 180-degree turn after takeoff before crashing on another runway at the base. Military officials have not yet determined the cause of the crash and indicated that the investigation could take up to six months. The identities of the deceased have not been fully released, but reports confirm that Jeromy Smith, a civilian flight test engineer, and Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, a test pilot, were among those killed. Boeing has acknowledged that two of its employees were among the fatalities. The aircraft was involved in a modernization program aimed at upgrading the B-52 fleet with a new radar system, although it remains unclear if this system contributed to the crash.