8 killed in B-52 crash after takeoff at California air base
What's next: The airfield at Edwards Air Force Base is closed, flights are being diverted and investigators said the probe could take months.
A B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff Monday at Edwards Air Force Base in California, killing all eight people aboard and shutting down the airfield. Base officials said the bomber was flying a routine test mission when it went down around 11:20 a.m. local time and burst into flames. Col. James Hayes, deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing, said a review of video showed the crash was unsurvivable. The crew included military personnel, government civilians and contractors. Boeing said two of the dead were company employees. Edwards said inbound aircraft were being diverted, and Hayes said operations would stand down Tuesday. The cause remains under investigation and officials expect the inquiry to take several months.