Hampden AD736 near Finningley airfield.
This 106 Squadron aircraft had landed at St.Eval on return from an operational flight on the night of 4th / 5th February 1941. During the afternoon of 6th February 1941 the aircraft was being flown from St.Eval airfield back to Finningley. Prior to taking off the crew were informed that they should refuel at either Upper Heyford or Cottesmore if necessary. They crew did not refuel en-route and managed to reach the circuit of Finningley airfield. While flying in the airfield circuit awaiting their turn to land the aircraft ran out of fuel. The pilot made a forced landing around half a mile west of the airfield at 16.05hrs and it was slightly damaged.
Pilot - Sgt Wilfred Francis Osborne RAF (740836).
Second Pilot - Sgt John Fred Reginald Boyall RAF (742786).
? - Sgt Wiseman.
? - Sgt Sidney Albert Thomas Davies RAF (751409).
Hampden AD736 was built to contract B.67577/40 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection in October 1940. It was allotted to 8 MU on 11th Dceember 1940 and was received by them on 20th December 1940. The aircraft was taken on charge by 106 Squadron at Finningley days later on 28th December 1940. Following the incident on 6th February 1941 Cat.B/FA damage was the damage assessment. On 13th February 1941 it arrived at 13 MU. On 7th March 1941 it passed to the LMS Carriage Works, Service Aircraft Section for a repair in works to begin. The aircraft was passed to 37 MU on 30th August 1941 once servicable and was then taken on charge by 16 OTU at Upper Heyford on 23rd December 1941. It was transferred to 14 OTU at Cottesmore on 2nd July 1942. It left 14 OTU on 30th November 1942 for some form of work to be carried out at the depot at Tollerton. Once servicable again it passed to 3502 SU on 26th May 1943 and was then taken on charge by 1402 (Met.) Flight at Aldergrove on 28th May 1943. On 18th December 1943 a pilot from No.8 F.P.P. from Sydenham (Belfast) was tasked with flying the aircraft to the UK mainland for scrapping. There was an unfortunate accident while this ferry flight was being made. While en route from Aldergrove to Hawarden. The pilot, First Officer John Dennis Hurley ATA, made a low approach to Hawarden followed by a turn to port. The aircraft rolled over and crashed inverted, caught fire and was destroyed. The investigation team could not find an obvious cause but there was an indication that the port engine may have failed during the final approach to land. Cat.E2/FA(Burnt) damage was recorded and the aircraft was written off. This was the last ATA Hampden flying fatality.