A full investigation into the deadly B-52 bomber crash in California could take up to six months, according to US officials. The military and aviation experts are now working to find out what caused the test aircraft to fall from the sky just moments after takeoff. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashed during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base on Monday. The aircraft carried eight people. It burst into flames after hitting the ground and sent thick black smoke into the air across the Mojave Desert. Officials confirmed that everyone on board lost their lives. The victims included Boeing workers, military members, government employees, and civilian contractors. Their names have not yet been released. The airfield stayed closed the next day as recovery teams prepared to enter the crash site. Fire crews continued to monitor small fires that returned overnight. Safety workers first needed to make the area secure before investigators could begin their detailed search. Flight tracking data shows the aircraft made a sharp right turn soon after takeoff. It then almost completed a 180-degree turn before dropping rapidly toward another runway. The bomber descended at about 5,056 feet per minute. That speed is nearly ten times faster than a normal landing approach. Experts believe the unusual flight path could provide important clues. Aviation safety specialist Jeff Guzzetti said the aircraft may have suffered a flight control problem. He explained that the crew appeared to lose the ability to control the bomber shortly after it left the ground. He said several possible causes are being considered. One idea is that the flight controls may have been set up incorrectly after maintenance work. Another possibility is a major engine failure. A third option is that equipment being tested during the flight failed unexpectedly. Guzzetti believes the crash most likely involved a controllability issue. However, he noted that investigators will need time to study the wreckage, flight data, and maintenance records before reaching a final answer. Military investigators will also examine the aircraft's recent upgrades. The B-52 involved in the accident was supporting a radar modernization program designed to extend the bomber's service life. Boeing delivered an updated B-52 with a new radar system to Edwards Air Force Base in 2025. The advanced system is expected to help keep the aircraft in operation until at least 2050. That would allow the bomber to serve for nearly one hundred years after it first entered military service. Edwards Air Force Base plays a major role in testing new aircraft, weapons systems, software, and military equipment. The 412th Test Wing oversees these programs and checks new technology before it enters regular service. The base has a long history of flight testing and has supported many important aviation projects over the years. Safety standards are especially strict because many aircraft operate with experimental systems. The latest accident has raised fresh questions about flight testing and aircraft reliability. It also follows several fatal US Air Force training accidents in recent years, including the loss of an instructor pilot in Texas in 2024 and the deaths of two trainer jet pilots near Alabama in 2021. Officials say the investigation will include technical inspections, flight data analysis, witness interviews, and reviews of maintenance records. Each step is expected to help build a clear picture of the final moments of the flight. Until the investigation is complete, experts say it is too early to identify the exact cause of the tragedy. Families, military officials, and the aviation industry are now waiting for answers that could improve future flight safety and prevent similar accidents.