(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-24 19:41

HAGATNA - The Air Force was investigating the first crash of a costly B-2 stealth bomber after one plunged to the ground shortly after beginning the last flight of a four-month deployment.

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber approaches an US Air Force KC-10(A) tanker plane over the Missouri sky to receive an aerial refueling after taking off from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Johnson County, Missouri in this October 30, 2002 file photo. [Agencies]

Both pilots ejected safely Saturday, though one was being transferred to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu to be treated for spinal compression, said Tech. Sgt. Tom Czerwinski of Pacific Air Force's public affairs office in Hawaii.

Four of the bombers were taking off at the end of deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, officials said. At least one had taken off safely but was brought back after the crash.

The distinctive, bat-like B-2 is described as a "multi-role bomber" that blends stealth technology with a highly efficient aerodynamic design. It is able to deliver large payloads at great range and has been used in combat over Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Each costs about $1.2 billion (euro810 million) to build. The three that did not crash were being kept on Guam, said Maj. Eric Hilliard at Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii.

There were no injuries on the ground or damage to buildings, and no munitions were on board.

A board of officers is investigating what caused the 10:30 a.m. crash, the first by a B-2 bomber, said Capt. Sheila Johnston, a spokeswoman for Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

All 21 stealth bombers are based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, but the Air Force has rotated several of them through Guam since 2004, along with B-1 and B-52 bombers.

The B-2 was first publicly displayed in 1988 and took its first flight a year later. The first bomber was delivered to Whiteman in 1993.

The bombers on Guam had been scheduled to return to Missouri now that six B-52s from the 96th Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Lousiana, have arrived to replace them.

The accident occurred 11 days after a Navy plane crashed into the ocean about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Guam's Ritidian Point. Four aircrew members ejected from the EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft and were rescued by helicopter.

Guam is a US territory 3,700 miles (5954 kilometers) southwest of Hawaii.