US bomber crashes shortly after takeoff; 8 crew presumed dead

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed on Monday shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California's Mojave Desert, killing all eight crew members aboard. The aircraft, designed to carry nuclear and conventional bombs, was on a routine test mission when it went down on the runway. Aerial video footage showed a large, charred area of the desert floor. Air Force Colonel James Hayes stated at a press conference that the crash was deemed unrecoverable and unsurvivable. The cause of the crash is unknown and under investigation. Operations at Edwards Air Force Base were grounded through at least Tuesday due to runway damage. The B-52 Stratofortress, built by Boeing, has long been a key part of the U.S. strategic bomber force, capable of carrying various munitions, including nuclear warheads. This incident marks the first crash of a B-52 Stratofortress since May 2016, when seven crew members survived a similar crash in Guam.