Eight dead in horror B-52 bomber crash after takeoff from Air Force base in California: 'We lost eight great Americans'

- See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source The US military is in mourning after eight crew members were killed when a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after taking off from an Air Force base in California. The aircraft carrying military members, government contractors and government employees plummeted to the ground just outside of Los Angeles around 11.20am PT on Monday after departing from Edwards Air Force Base. It was on a routine test mission at the time, supporting radar modernization efforts, officials said, and 'initial indications are that the crash was not survivable.' 'Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a horrible tragedy and we lost eight great Americans,' Col. James Hayes said at a news conference, noting that officials were notifying next-of-kin. In a statement, officials for Boeing said they extend their 'deepest condolences to the loved ones of the eight crew members who lost their lives in the B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base, California. 'It is with great sadness that we confirm two Boeing employees were among those on board. We are in contact with their families and are offering support,' the company said. Emergency responders also remained on the scene of the crash Monday evening, as recovery operations continued. It remains unclear what may have caused the crash, with officials saying a preliminary report may not be available for six months. The military aircraft plummeted to the ground around 11.20am PT on Monday after departing from Edwards Air Force Base in California The crash left plumes of thick black smoke covering the area in the Mojave Desert. The runway was also left with a large char mark on the sandy runway in the aftermath, leaving it unusable for routine trips on Tuesday. The airfield was then closed and all inbound flights were temporarily diverted. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is one of the oldest aircraft in the US Air Force's fleet, first entering service in 1955. It has a wingspan of 185ft, which is almost twice the length of a standard NBA basketball court. The aircraft, which is often referred to as 'the Buff' or 'Bug Ugly Fat', can carry up to 70,000lb of bombs and other military weapons. The plane can also hold five crew members, can fly up to 50,000 feet and can refuel mid-air. The B-52H, the current version of the bomber plane, was used during missions in the conflict between the US and Iran. That specific version can also hold nuclear-armed cruise missiles and nuclear bombs. Congressman Jay Obernolte, whose district includes the crash site, said he and his wife 'are praying for everyone involved in today's B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base, especially the crew, their families, and the first responders on scene.' 'My prayers are with everyone involved in the B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base this afternoon,' Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain said. A large plume of dark smoke rises into the sky after the plane crash The plane, which can hold five crew members, can fly up to 50,000ft and can refuel mid-air The crash comes nearly two decades after a B-52 crashed in 2008, resulting in the deaths of six Air Force personnel. The plane plummeted into the Pacific Ocean just off the coast of Guam while preparing for a flyover during a Liberation Day parade. An investigation determined that the fatal crash was likely caused by an improper stabilizer trim setting, when the aircraft's horizontal tail is angled incorrectly. The US Air Force and the US Navy worked together to find and retrieve the aircraft's wreckage from the ocean floor. There was no flight recorder data available because the plane was not equipped with one. Breaking news... updates to follow.