An investigation was continuing Tuesday into the cause of a B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base that killed eight people at the military installation that straddles Kern, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.
According to the Air Force, the B-52 Stratofortress was on a routine test mission when it crashed shortly after takeoff at about 11:20 a.m. Monday.
Video from the location showed a large plume of smoke rising from the charred remains of the aircraft, which appeared to be completely destroyed.
During a news conference Monday afternoon, Col. James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, said the aircraft was conducting a local test sortie in support of a radar modernization program when it crashed immediately after takeoff.
“Our team of first responders snapped into action, and immediately cordoned off the area and took the appropriate action to start putting out the flames,” Hayes said.
Base officials established an emergency operations center and wing operations center to coordinate the response and recovery effort, according to Hayes.
“After reviewing the footage of the crash, it was deemed that this was an unrecoverable crash and unsurvivable,” Hayes said. “At that point, we went into the notification process.”
Chief Master Sgt. Joshua T. Skarloken said officials were in the process of notifying the victims’ families. He said those aboard the aircraft included military personnel, government civilians and government contractors.
One of the people who died in the crash was identified Tuesday as Jeromy Smith, a civilian flight test engineer. Smith was a husband and father of two young children.
According to a GoFundMe page created to support Smith’s wife, Lauren, one of the couple’s two boys is just 4 months old, while the other is 2.5 years old.
“Our entire family is devastated by this great loss. My brother-in-law was an incredible husband and an amazing father to their boys,” Lindsey Smith wrote on the page.
The couple lived in Bakersfield.
A separate GoFundMe page identified another of the victims as Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, a test pilot. He was also married with two children.
“As a family friend, I’ve witnessed firsthand the strength and resilience Pam has shown, but the road ahead is filled with uncertainty and challenges,” Melissa Lynch wrote on the page. “With Miles gone, Pam is now responsible for supporting her family on her own.”
The B-52 Stratofortress has been a cornerstone of the Air Force’s bomber fleet since entering service in 1955. The long-range aircraft is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds of weapons and is generally operated by a crew of five.
The last crash at the base was in 1992, when two crew members were killed.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose 5th District includes the Antelope Valley and communities neighboring Edwards Air Force Base, asked Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis to hold a moment of silence at Tuesday’s board meeting in honor of the victims.
“The loss of life in this tragic crash is heartbreaking,” Barger said in a statement.
“I am deeply grateful to the men and women who serve our nation and support critical military operations, and mourn alongside the Edwards Air Force Base community during this difficult time,” she added.