B-52 Stratofortress Crash Claims Eight Lives at Edwards Air Force Base
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CA (Oct. 2, 2023) — A B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff during a test mission at Edwards Air Force Base at approximately 11:20 a.m. Monday, resulting in the deaths of all eight individuals onboard.
According to military officials, the crash occurred about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. The victims included military personnel, government civilians, and contractors. Authorities stated that two employees from The Boeing Company were among the deceased.
Col. James Hayes, deputy commander for the 412th Test Wing, confirmed the tragic loss during a press conference, identifying the victims as “eight great Americans.” Witnesses reported seeing black smoke rising from the crash site, prompting the base to close the airfield and divert all inbound aircraft.
Emergency response teams arrived at the scene swiftly, although details regarding injuries were not disclosed. An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and officials noted that determining a cause may take months.
Jeromy Smith, a flight test engineer who perished in the crash, had recently celebrated the birth of his second child and faced the milestone of his fourth wedding anniversary.
The B-52, a long-range bomber used by the U.S. Air Force, has been in service for decades, known for its versatility in various military operations.
Edwards Air Force Base is renowned for its involvement in aerospace research and testing and has been the site of notable aviation history.