B-52 Crash at Edwards

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sanangelo
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4:53p, 6/15/26
AG
Looks like the pilot and copilot ejected. The holes are on the top of the cockpit. The 2 navs eject downward. Not sure if an Edwards mission has an EW (electronic warfare) officer on the mission, but his seat is 10 feet behind the copilot.

Here's a blowup of the ejection seat holes for P/CP:

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Philip J Fry
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In reply to Gator92 • 4:53p, 6/15/26
AG
Looks like something on the inner pylon.
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Squadron7
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In reply to Gator92 • 4:55p, 6/15/26
AG
Gator92 said:


Not being an expert, I don't know what I expected to see in the way of wreckage, but that isn't it.
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Hey Nav
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4:57p, 6/15/26
AG
As nortex said, that is not today's accident. That photo is from Anderson AFB (Guam) in 2016.
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sanangelo
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In reply to Philip J Fry • 5:00p, 6/15/26
AG
Philip J Fry said:
Looks like something on the inner pylon.

Good observation. I bet those are JASSMs. The Buff has 2 pylons, left and right side.

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Gator92
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In reply to nortex97 • 5:00p, 6/15/26
AG
nortex97 said:
That's not this plane/crash, unfortunately.

After I saw some of the other footage, I suspected. Edited my post.

Do you know where the pic came from?

The article stated the last fatality B52 crash was 2008.
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nortex97
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In reply to Gator92 • 5:03p, 6/15/26
AG
I don't know, sorry.
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sanangelo
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5:05p, 6/15/26
AG
I didn't realize the photo I posted earlier (with ejection seat holes) wasn't the June 15, 2026 crash. Here is the crash site. You cannot tell if anyone ejected:

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Gator92
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In reply to nortex97 • 5:13p, 6/15/26
AG
nortex97 said:
I don't know, sorry.

Pic was from 2016 at Guam after an aborted take off. All crew escaped.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/04/19/air-force-bird-scare-led-to-aborted-takeoff-that-wrecked-b-52/
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USAFAg
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In reply to Gator92 • 5:32p, 6/15/26
AG
Gator92 said:
nortex97 said:
That's not this plane/crash, unfortunately.

After I saw some of the other footage, I suspected. Edited my post.

Do you know where the pic came from?

The article stated the last fatality B52 crash was 2008.

The crash in 2008 was the BUFF deployed to Guam from Barksdale. It was practicing for airshow and had an elevator malfunction while performing a turning dive. Flew into the ocean. All lost, including a Flight Surgeon riding along for his hours.
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sanangelo
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5:38p, 6/15/26
AG
Fox reporting 8 dead in Buff crash at Edwards AFB
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Ellis Wyatt
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8:00p, 6/15/26
B-52s are/were set to be training at Fort Hood this week. Wonder if this Buff was headed to Texas.
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Rapier108
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In reply to Ellis Wyatt • 8:04p, 6/15/26
Ellis Wyatt said:
B-52s are/were set to be training at Fort Hood this week. Wonder if this Buff was headed to Texas.

It was at Edwards are part of the B-52 upgrade/modernization program. This was a test flight.

Anything coming to visit Ft. Hood likely is going to come from Barksdale AFB.
"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without blood shed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." - Sir Winston Churchill
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JFABNRGR
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8:41p, 6/15/26
AG
I didn't see an F18 crash thread, so posting on top of this one. Campers at lake capture jet hitting trees before crash. Was there an issue before terrain or was terrain the issue?

“You can resolve to live your life with integrity. Let your credo be this: Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph. But not through me.”
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sanangelo
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12:34a, 6/16/26
AG
Not sure if this is true but if the plane that crashed today was Balls 61 (0061), then that jet was at one time named "The Spirit of Aggieland" and Col Bruce Cox '86, one of my classmates, flew his fini-flight in it in circa 2016.

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BlueMiles
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In reply to sanangelo • 1:10a, 6/16/26
AG
That would have been 24 June 2017. Saw it fly over.
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sanangelo
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1:39a, 6/16/26
AG
Found more interesting info on the Buff that crashed (0061) on Facebook.

In an Edwards AFB post from a half year ago, we learn that:
Quote:
NEWS: A new BUFF has joined the test fleet!
In partnership with The Boeing Company, crews from the 419th FLTS at Edwards and the 49th TES at Barksdale AFB successfully ferried the first B-52 with a modern Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) from San Antonio.
From the United States Air Force:
"The ferry flight of this upgraded B-52 marks an important moment in our efforts to modernize the bomber force," said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. "This radar modernization ensures that the B-52 will continue to serve as a cornerstone of American airpower well into the future.
This special airframe will lead radar modernization efforts to ensure the iconic Stratofortress can integrate with next-generation aircraft. "This milestone ensures our future #Airmen inherit a modernized, ready Air Force," said #USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach."
Local Perspective:
"These efforts of our Total Test force have been instrumental in achieving a successful ferry flight, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication" said Lt. Col. James McDonald, commander, 419th Flight Test Squadron. "We look forward to working together to continue this modernization, ensuring the B-52 remains a capable and relevant platform for decades to come." #AFMC
Read More About the B-52 Radar Modernization Program

source




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TA-OP
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3:19a, 6/16/26
Pretty sure we had a B-52 flyover this past season. That could be when Chef Thai had this interaction. Thoughts and prayers for all those involved.
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nortex97
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In reply to sanangelo • 4:27a, 6/16/26
AG
Yes, apparently 2 of the 8 on board who perished were Boeing employees as part of the test program for that (part of the B-52J upgrade). Normal crew is 5. (I highly doubt the radar played a role in the crash.)
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BlueMiles
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7:44a, 6/16/26
AG
I zoomed in on Tai's photo and happened to notice date and photographer info at the bottom:

2016-10-13 and Zane Adams.

Not that it matters but it seems there must have been two flyovers around then and I saw the latter one.


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ts5641
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In reply to Rapier108 • 8:52a, 6/16/26
Rapier108 said:
deddog said:
Is there a way to bail out of a B-52?
B-52 crashes are never good

Yes, they do have ejection seats.

Reports are no survivors and it was a crash on takeoff.

Ugh this sucks! God bless them. I pray they're with our savior now.
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ABATTBQ87
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12:28p, 6/16/26
AG
A plane with ties to Texas A&M is at the center of a tragic military aviation accident.

The U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress that crashed Monday near Edwards Air Force Base in California, killing all eight people on board, was tail number 60-0061 an aircraft known to many Aggies as the "Spirit of Aggieland."

The bomber earned that nickname while under the command of former Aggie and then-307th Bomb Wing Commander Colonel Bruce Cox, who helped dedicate the aircraft to Texas A&M.

Over the years, the plane made several appearances connected to Aggieland, including a memorable 2017 flyover above Kyle Field and College Station during the retirement flight for Colonel Cox.

The aircraft also carried signed flags from Texas A&M teams, including the Lady Aggies basketball team and the Aggie baseball team during its College World Series run.

It's important to note that the crew members who died in Monday's crash were not the same crew involved in the 2017 flyover or retirement flight.

For many Aggies, "Spirit of Aggieland" was more than just a military aircraft. It was a unique symbol connecting Texas A&M's traditions with the men and women serving our country.
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Rapier108
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6:22p, 6/16/26
And here comes the media trying to blame the crash on something nefarious, either claiming the plane wasn't "safe" to fly, or that it is somehow Boeing's fault.

https://ktla.com/news/california/something-was-wrong-with-the-plane-wife-of-b-52-crash-victim-speaks-out/
"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without blood shed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." - Sir Winston Churchill
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CanyonAg77
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In reply to Rapier108 • 9:23p, 6/16/26
AG
Rapier108 said:
And here comes the media trying to blame the crash on something nefarious, either claiming the plane wasn't "safe" to fly, or that it is somehow Boeing's fault.

https://ktla.com/news/california/something-was-wrong-with-the-plane-wife-of-b-52-crash-victim-speaks-out/


Quote:
Lauren Smith, the wife of Jeromy Smith, a flight test engineer for the U.S. Air Force who died in the crash, told KTLA that the plane was experiencing issues before Monday's flight.

"My husband told me on Friday that they were supposed to fly on Friday and that something was wrong with the plane," Smith said. "I don't know what was wrong, but the flight kept getting pushed back. He was supposed to fly in the morning and then it got pushed back to noon and then it got pushed back to 2 o'clock. And then they said they're going to have to fix whatever was wrong with it and that they would fly when it was done."


If her husband were alive today, he'd tell her to STFU.

And any reporter asking questions of a widow a day after an accident should be strapped to a pylon on the next B-52 mission and salvoed over the Mojave Desert.

Also, the aircraft is 66 years old, and they were testing new equipment.

No one should be surprised if some of the flights get delayed.

And there is zero evidence that any of the delays were related to the crash.
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CanyonAg77
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In reply to sanangelo • 9:25p, 6/16/26
AG


If that is a recent photo, looks like the Aggie logo has been removed. No big deal, they change the paint all the time.
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sanangelo
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In reply to CanyonAg77 • 10:31p, 6/16/26
AG
CanyonAg77 said:


If that is a recent photo, looks like the Aggie logo has been removed. No big deal, they change the paint all the time.

When I was driving Buffs, when they returned from depot maintenance at Tinker AFB, OK, the planes had new paint and the nose art was added later, usually by a motivated NCO maintenance guy who had art skills.

Note there is no "ED" tail flash either. That's all local maintenance. This photo was taken 6 months ago or so after it arrived from getting that fancy radar installed during depot maintenance either at Kelly or Tinker.
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Rapier108
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In reply to sanangelo • 10:38p, 6/16/26
The new radar was installed at Kelly.
"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without blood shed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." - Sir Winston Churchill
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sanangelo
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In reply to Rapier108 • 11:03p, 6/16/26
AG
Rapier108 said:
The new radar was installed at Kelly.

Funny story about Tinker vs Kelly for depot maintenance. I was stationed at KI Sawyer AFB, MI in the early 1990s. A crew for Sawyer was tasked with delivering a jet to depot maintenance. For years depot maintenance was accomplished at Kelly AFB in San Antonio. Our crew mission planned and flew the jet into Kelly. When they taxied clear of the runway, ground control informed them that depot maintenance moved to Tinker AFB near OKC a year ago. The pilot had already deployed the drag chute and no one at Kelly was certified to repack the chute. You cannot takeoff without a drag chute packed and loaded.

I was tasked that day to fly a packed chute and a maintenance guy down to Kelly to rescue the stranded jet. We landed light enough to not have to deploy our chute. The wayward Buff crew loaded up and flew up to Tinker to deposit the jet at the new depot. We fueled up and continued a training mission and low level (IR 178) from near Hudspeth-Sierra Blanca through the Big Bend and flew home the same day.
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SupermachJM
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In reply to CanyonAg77 • 11:33p, 6/16/26
CanyonAg77 said:
Rapier108 said:
And here comes the media trying to blame the crash on something nefarious, either claiming the plane wasn't "safe" to fly, or that it is somehow Boeing's fault.

https://ktla.com/news/california/something-was-wrong-with-the-plane-wife-of-b-52-crash-victim-speaks-out/


Quote:
Lauren Smith, the wife of Jeromy Smith, a flight test engineer for the U.S. Air Force who died in the crash, told KTLA that the plane was experiencing issues before Monday's flight.

"My husband told me on Friday that they were supposed to fly on Friday and that something was wrong with the plane," Smith said. "I don't know what was wrong, but the flight kept getting pushed back. He was supposed to fly in the morning and then it got pushed back to noon and then it got pushed back to 2 o'clock. And then they said they're going to have to fix whatever was wrong with it and that they would fly when it was done."


If her husband were alive today, he'd tell her to STFU.

And any reporter asking questions of a widow a day after an accident should be strapped to a pylon on the next B-52 mission and salvoed over the Mojave Desert.

Also, the aircraft is 66 years old, and they were testing new equipment.

No one should be surprised if some of the flights get delayed.

And there is zero evidence that any of the delays were related to the crash.



Me at DFW:

"The gate agent told me that they were supposed to fly but that something was wrong with the plane….I don't know what was wrong, but the flight kept getting pushed back. We were supposed to fly in the morning and then it got pushed back to noon and then it got pushed back to 2 o'clock. And then they said they're going to have to fix whatever was wrong with it and that they would fly when it was done."

Some of the quotes these idiot reporters get…


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Philip J Fry
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1:41a, 6/17/26
AG
Found out today that a friend of mine was on that buff when it crashed.

Chris, the world was a much better place with you in our lives. Godspeed.
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BQ78
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7:21p, 6/17/26
AG
With a body in every instructor seat on the plane, they would have had to get at least 500 feet in the air for the observers to manually bailout the navigator's hatch. Sounds like they only were in the air for three minutes tops so it happened quick and the guys not in ejection seats were goners regardless.
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Aggie95
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In reply to BQ78 • 8:50p, 6/17/26
AG
not being argumentative, but how were they in the air for 3 minutes but crashed on the runway

Also, would be a little surprising and a big miss if there aren't cameras pointed at the runways to capture landings and takeoffs for situations just like this.
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BQ78
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In reply to Aggie95 • 8:56p, 6/17/26
AG
I did say tops, there is still a lot of bad information out there
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FCBlitz
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In reply to Squadron7 • 9:07p, 6/17/26
Squadron7 said:
Gator92 said:


Not being an expert, I don't know what I expected to see in the way of wreckage, but that isn't it.


I have to agree. This is not the wrecked from the flaming fireball we see in those photos earlier.
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sanangelo
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In reply to BQ78 • 9:08p, 6/17/26
AG
BQ78 said:
With a body in every instructor seat on the plane, they would have had to get at least 500 feet in the air for the observers to manually bailout the navigator's hatch. Sounds like they only were in the air for three minutes tops so it happened quick and the guys not in ejection seats were goners regardless.

I suspect they had a guy strapped in next to the urinal downstairs in the IRN seat behind the Radar Nav and Nav in downward ejection seats, a guy in the IP seat behind the P/CP, and a guy in the gunner's ejection seat next to the electronic warfare officer in an ejection seat upstairs. The upper deck seats are 0'-90 KIAS for upstairs ejection seats and 250' with enough KIAS to blow the bottom hatch doors off for downward ejection seats. All of these parameters assume 0 sink rate.

Those ejection seats are 1950s technology and not very good, especially for guys over 200 lbs. I think the old legacy T-38 seat had a weight restriction of 240 lbs.

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