LOS ANGELES (TNND) — Military officials on Tuesday said a U.S. Air Force B-52 crashed after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base, killing eight.
According to the 412th Test Wing, the bomber went down shortly after departure and burst into flames. Authorities said there were no survivors.
Col. James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, said after reviewing footage of the crash that no one could have survived.
Passengers included government contractors and uniformed military personnel, authorities said. Boeing confirmed two of its employees were among those on board.
The base said all inbound aircraft were diverted following the crash. Videos from near the airfield showed black smoke rising from the scene.
Hayes said the B-52 was supporting the Air Force’s radar modernization program at the time of the crash.
Officials said it could take up to six months to complete the investigation into the cause.