B-52 plunged at a rate of nearly a mile a minute before deadly crash

Key Points:

• A B-52 bomber crashed during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California, killing all eight people on board; the plane made a sharp right turn and nearly completed a 180-degree turn before descending rapidly and crashing shortly after takeoff.
• The aircraft was involved in a radar modernization program aimed at updating the B-52 fleet with advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar systems to extend its operational life through at least 2050.
• The crash occurred just over three minutes into the flight, with tracking data showing a descent rate nearly ten times faster than normal landing rates, but the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation and could take up to six months to determine.
• Edwards Air Force Base, known for developmental testing of military aircraft, remains closed as crews secure the crash site; the victims included military personnel, government contractors, and Boeing employees.
• Aviation experts suggest that crashes shortly after takeoff often involve flight control or engine issues, with limited pilot options to recover due to low altitude and rapid descent.