B-52 crashes at Edwards, eight presumed dead

A B-52 on a routine test mission crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base, where officials said eight people were presumed dead and the cause remained under investigation.

1. Frame 1Air Force says eight aboard a B-52 are presumed dead after the Edwards takeoff crash, opening a military safety investigation.
2. Frame 2Edwards officials said initial signs were not survivable as emergency crews worked to account for all personnel.
3. Frame 3The bomber went down around 11:20 a.m. near a runway in California's Mojave Desert, leaving a charred crash zone.
4. Frame 4The base closed its airfield, diverted inbound aircraft, and suspended visitor passes during the emergency response.
5. Frame 5The B-52 entered service in 1955 and can carry conventional or nuclear weapons on long-range U.S. missions.
6. Frame 6Investigators now have to determine why a routine test mission failed shortly after takeoff.