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Victims ID'd in B-52 bomber crash that killed 8 at Edwards Air Force Base
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Edwards Air Force Base identified the eight individuals killed in Monday's B-52 Stratofortress crash, including military personnel, Boeing employees, and government civilians involved in a Combined Test Force mission.
- The victims included weapons system officers, pilots, flight test engineers, and contractors, all participating in a test flight for the Air Force's Radar Modernization Program aimed at upgrading B-52 bombers for service into the 2050s.
- The bomber crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in an "unsurvivable" accident despite immediate emergency response; the base remains closed until at least Thursday, with flight tests expected to resume early next week.
- The B-52 fleet, originally built in the early 1960s, is undergoing nearly $50 billion in upgrades, but the aircraft's age presents operational risks, as highlighted by experts following the fatal crash.
- The U.S. Air Force's Accident Investigation Board will conduct a thorough investigation, which may take up to six months, while Edwards Air Force Base is providing extensive support services to the families and personnel affected by the tragedy.
