On 2nd August 1939 this aircraft overshot on landing at Thornaby airfield in heavy rain and was slightly damaged,
Pilot - Acting P/O Keith Brooke-Taylor RAF (41251), of Wellington City, New Zealand.
Keith Brooke-Taylor received his commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on an unknown date but probably in mid-1938. He was graded as P/O on 29th August 1939. He was killed on 7th April 1940 serving with 83 Squadron when Hampden L4054 crashed near St.Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay. Fellow ACIA air historian Russell Gray located the crash site with assistance from Ken Reast, Albert Pritchard and Dick Barton in 2007 and Russ and family members of one other member of the crew of L4054 erected a memorial on the side of the lighthouse.
Keith Brooke-Taylor was twenty one years old and is buried at Chevington Cemetery, Northumberland. His brother Sgt Rex Brooke-Taylor was killed on 30th December 1940 in New Zealand flying in Oxford R6226.
Hampden L4196 was built to contract 549267/36 by Handley Page at Radlett and delivered to 185 Squadron in June 1939. Cat.M/FA damage was recorded as a result of the incident at Thornaby and it was repaired on site and continued to serve with 185 Squadron until being transferred to 14 OTU on an unknown date. It suffered a Cat.B/FA mishap on 17th August 1942 but was again repaired and later issued to 5 OTU on an unknown date and served there until being struck off charge on 24th January 1944.