All seven crew members on a B-52H Stratofortress that crashed Thursday morning in Guam escaped the aircraft before it went up in flames. The heavy bomber, deployed to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam from Minot AFB in North Dakota, was on a training flight when it crashed. Details on the B-52’s phase of flight and what occurred were not immediately available. The aircraft crashed on the flightline of the Guam base about 8:30 a.m. local time, the Air Force said on its website.
Officials are investigating. “We are thankful that the aircrew are safe,” said Brig. Gen. Douglas Cox, the 36th Wing commander. “Because of their quick thinking and good judgment in this emergency situation, the aircrew not only saved their lives but averted a more catastrophic incident.”The crew was from the69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.Emergency crews responded and extinguished the fire, and no injuries were reported. News reports showed dramatic images and footage of the bomber on the ground, burning up in flames and thick black smoke.
