B-1 bomber crashes during training mission, crew ejects safely

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, South Dakota (KVII) — An Air Force B-1B Lancer crashed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

The bomber crashed at 5:50 p.m. while trying to land at the installation.

According to the Air Force, the crew was on a training mission.

All four airman on board ejected safely.

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At the time of the crash visibility was poor with freezing temperatures and low clouds, according to automated weather reporting equipment recording airfield conditions.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The B-1 is a conventional supersonic bomber that first came into service in the 1980s. It has been used to support the U.S. bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region and to conduct close air support missions in U.S. operations in Afghanistan. It does not carry nuclear weapons.

While 100 were originally built, fewer than 60 remain in service at Ellsworth Air Force Base and Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas.