8 people died
A military aircraft crashed at a base north of Los Angeles Monday morning, Edwards Air Force Base said on social media.
“A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on the Edwards airfield at 11:20 a.m.,” the base said on Facebook. “Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing.”
A
US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on
Monday, June 15, 2026, at
Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert. The incident occurred at
11:20 a.m. local time, sending a large plume of black smoke into the air.
Key details regarding the current crash:
- Status: Emergency crews responded immediately, and the situation is ongoing.
- Casualties: It is not immediately clear if there were any injuries; the aircraft typically carries a crew of five.
- Response: The airfield has been closed, inbound aircraft are being diverted, and non-commercial visitor passes are suspended.
- Cause: The cause of the crash is currently unknown and under investigation.
This event marks the first fatal B-52 accident since
2008, when six personnel were killed in a crash off the coast of Guam. The B-52, which entered service in 1955, is a long-range strategic bomber currently used in operations including bombing raids on Iran.
The military identified
eight people killed in the B-52 Stratofortress crash at Edwards Air Force Base on Monday, June 15, 2026. The victims, ranging in age from 32 to 53, were:
- Col. Gregory Watson, 53: Weapon systems officer, Boeing employee and Air Force reservist.
- Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40: Weapon systems officer, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.
- Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50: Pilot, Boeing employee.
- Maj. Alexander Davis, 34: Weapons system officer.
- Maj. Robert Dee, 40: Pilot, 419th Test Squadron.
- Maj. Brad Hovey, 35: Pilot, 419th Test Squadron.
- Jeromy Smith, 32: Flight test engineer, 419th Flight Test Squadron (Department of Defense civilian).
- Christopher Rischar, 41: Flight test engineer, contractor.
The crew was part of a Combined Test Force conducting a routine test mission for the Air Force's Radar Modernization Program when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. Officials declared the incident unsurvivable, and an Accident Investigation Board has commenced its probe, which may take up to six months to determine the cause.
