BUFF goes down off Guam

Most of you have already heard about this as it is a big story, but I'm a little late to get it up here. An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed about 30 miles off the coast of Guam this morning enroute to conduct a flyover at a parade ceremony. The AP is reporting that two crewmembers have been found, however their condition has not yet been released. No word as to whether or not they were the only crewmembers on board as the BUFF typically carries a crew of six. There is also no word on what caused the crash of this Barksdale AFB-based B-52 although the Air Force has already begun an investigation. This is the first loss of a B-52 since 1994 at Fairchild AFB, which coincidentally took place during a non-combat flight at an air show. Of course, this comes in the same year as another high profile bomber crash at Guam when a B-2 went down in February. We'll try to keep you posted as things develop with this.

UPDATE: 05:24Z 7.24.08

Unfortunately, the Air Force announced that none of the 6 crewmembers on board survived the crash. They have now shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation.

(Danger Room)

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New photos from B-2 crash (again)

First was the takeoff crash of the B-2 on the island Guam back in February. Then two months later, the first photo was released. Two months after that, the videos of the crash were released along with the final investigation report. Now over a month after that, in true Pentagon fashion, the Air Force has released these new photos from the crash site at Anderson AFB when the B-2 Spirit of Kansas stalled on takeoff and augered in due to a "moisture buildup" on a sensor. Check out the guys inspecting the ejection seat at the bottom of the stack. Maybe in another two months, we'll get some more pictures or video of the world's most expensive aviation accident.





Photos courtesy of the United States Air Force

(Popular Mechanics via Danger Room)

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B-2 crash videos released by Air Force

Remember that B-2 Stealth Bomber that crashed on takeoff from Anderson AFB in Guam back in February? Well the Air Force has finally released two videos that were taken of the incident. Keep in mind that the B-2 that crashed was #2 in a 2 ship formation, so you'll see the lead ship takeoff first before the "mishap" bomber crashes.

This first video was taken from a security camera being remotely operated and has no sound.



This second video was taken at ground level by an airman on the flight line. Again, no sound.



The Air Force has also released information on what they believe led to the $1.4 billion loss of the B-2. Moisture contamination on the fly-by-wire B-2’s air data sensors is suspected of leading to the onboard computer thinking the aircraft was pointed downward on takeoff roll and moving about 10-12 knots faster than its actual speed. This resulted in the bomber rotating way too soon and subsequently stalling before rolling to the port side and impacting the ground. Luckily, both crewmembers ejected from the aircraft and survived although one sustained a compressed spinal fracture from the ejection, though he is expected to recover fully. This particular accident is being referred to as the single most expensive aviation accident ever.

(Editor's note: Updated to include 2nd video at 18:30Z)

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What a Wrecked $1.2 Billion B-2 Looks Like

Remember that B-2 (Spirit of Kansas) that crashed in Guam back on February 24, 2008? Well this is the aftermath. A nice 1.2 billion dollar piece of metal. A tragedy to see such a beauty all burned up.

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