About that B-52?

[kentuck]

Was it headed to the G-7 conference?

Was it carrying materiel to be used by Donald Trump while he was there?

What was the cargo?

Reportedly, several important officials, including defense contractors, were on board.

[vapor2]

1. Good questions!

[68er]

2. Ironic indeed if defense contractors perished in one of the tax-subsidized socialized devices....

... that made them privately rich.

[RockRaven]

3. I heard it was a test flight, as the B-52 fleet is being upgraded with new various equipment/instruments.

But I didn't look into it myself.

[kentuck]

4. Thanks RockRaven!

I had not heard that.

[Cirsium]

5. I used to see them

I used to see B52 test flights there quite a bit. They did touch and go and flew low level tight circles.

[VGNonly]

6. The usual crew is 5:

pilot, copilot, navigator, weapons system officer and an electronic warfare officer. It can fly about 8,800 miles combat range, 10,100 ferry range, without refueling. 744 were built from 1955-63, 76 remain in service with about 12 in long time storage. With constant upgrades and continuous repairs, they are expected to be in service until 2050.

I saw them fly in the 90s at Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan during the Gulf War.

[malaise]

7. Much more here

https://www.flyingmag.com/edwards-afb-b52-crash-history-investigation/

[2naSalit]

8. After some thought...

I am left wondering if there were missiles or some other ordinance on board, it sure blew up real good, there wasn't anything left but ash and a few chunks of who knows what. You'd think there would be some bigger chunks left.

[sarisataka]

10. Fuel.

It makes planes blow up real good, especially when their full such as just after takeoff.

[2naSalit]

12. True.

[malaise]

11. Take off with full fuel tanks is the most dangerous time for any flight

let alone an aircraft of this size.

[sarisataka]

9. It was making a flight to test a new radar

that is why there were contractors aboard.

Why on earth would someone use one of the most recognizable bombers in the world as a cargo plane?

[LeftInTX]

18. Sad that it happened on such an innocuous flight

I doubt that the new radar was factor, but you never know.

I don't live too far from former Kelly Air Force Base, it was the home of C5 maintenance and they still do maintenance on C5s and other large cargo.

The huge planes literally fly in low circles, up to 10 miles from the base. It would be tragic if one of them crashed.

[Happy Hoosier]

13. Edwards is a test base.

They were testing an upgrade to the aircraft. I do the same kind of work. I am thinking of the family of the aircrews and flight test engineers who died in that crash.

[Fichefinder]

15. I am also an Aircraft Modification tech. It is dangerous work.

Everything has to be correct and by the book or people die.

[Ilsa]

16. When I watch Air Disasters, it shocks me when the

investigators conclude that something like an improper bolt was used, leading to the death of dozens.

[malaise]

17. Another link

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/one-8-people-killed-b-52-crash-california-base-just-welcomed-new-baby-rcna350391