Pilots Safe in 1st-Ever B-2 Crash

A B-2 stealth bomber crashed after takeoff from a US base in Guam this morning—the first-ever failure for the $1.2 billion bat-winged craft, AP reports. Thick, black smoke could be seen billowing from the wreckage, one witness said. Both pilots successfully ejected and are in good condition; one has already been released. 

The bomber was one of four stealth craft set to leave Guam after a four-month rotation. The first B-2 had taken off without incident when the second plane smashed into the ground at around 10:30 am. In light of the incident, the remaining three bombers will remain on Guam rather than heading back to their home base in Missouri.  (More stealth bomber stories.)