A B-52 crashed today on takeoff

[ripcord]

I just saw that a B-52 crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards. Details are scarce, but the article I read quotes an official calling the crash "unsurvivable." Sad day.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/b-52-stratofortress-crashes-edwards-air-force-base/3904464/

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Horrendous. It appears the crew did not survive. In my past military life I had to deal with fatalities, but nothing like this on a personal basis. at this point condolences will never be enough. Families are impacted in so many ways when these events occur.

"Brothers and Sisters in Arms"

 

[oldcodger]

That is bad from the human life view and from the national defence view. Hate to lose personnel and the aircraft, we don't have many of those bombers left.

 

[ripcord]

The BBC reports that 8 were abord the plane.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx10yql319o

 

[2005jettatdi]

I am sure there is a video that will show the crash and allow analysts to figure out what happened. The last B-52 was delivered on October 26, 1962. It was a B-52H. The first B-52H was delivered in May 1961. All of the B-52s in service are the H model, so this one would be one of those and be between 63.5 and 65 years old.

Such a tragedy for the families of eight service men. Also for the twelve lost in the Missouri crash.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may their souls, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

 

[CleanSump]

I used to recover ordnance at Navy/USMC crashes in the 80s/90s. I'd walk around with the FAA guys to keep them safe and they were looking for specific stuff. Speculation here is pointless. Wait for the investigation to report what happened.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Sad news about those young aviators. Did this one have the newer Rolls Royce engine refit?

 

[4wd]

Sad news about those young aviators. Did this one have the newer Rolls Royce engine refit?

https://www.boeing.com/features/2026/1/boeing-wins--2b-award-to-modernize-the-b-52

 

[4wd]

Sad news about those young aviators. Did this one have the newer Rolls Royce engine refit?

RR too busy coming up with an engine for the Gripen?

 

[ripcord]

I believe that the RR re-power program is still under development and there are no air frames flying with the new engines, yet.

https://www.defensenews.com/news/yo...eview-first-modifications-to-begin-this-year/

 

[grasscutter]

Makes no sense. Air Force maintenance is the best in the world.

 

[ripcord]

Makes no sense. Air Force maintenance is the best in the world.

Military aviation is and has always been a highly dangerous activity. I think we should delay reaction or finger pointing until the investigation has more info for us.

 

[Pablo]

Makes no sense. Air Force maintenance is the best in the world.

Dunno if lack of maintenance

 

[JustN89]

Still a lot to unpack here. I believe this was a B-52 Radar Modernization Program test flight. There were two Boeing employees onboard, along with flight crew. I know the B-52 RMP program is based here in OKC, but I’m not sure if those employees were OKC folks. Absolutely heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what the families must be going through.

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

Still a lot to unpack here. I believe this was a B-52 Radar Modernization Program test flight. There were two Boeing employees onboard, along with flight crew. I know the B-52 RMP program is based here in OKC, but I’m not sure if those employees were OKC folks. Absolutely heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what the families must be going through.

In addition to the two Boeing civilians, I read there were two Government civilians on-board.

 

[grasscutter]

Dunno if lack of maintenance

The footage they're showing on Fox News is a crash site containing nothing but black ash. Nothing left.

I was expecting to see something that resembled an airplane.