Miles Master N7566 at Harewood Bridge, south of Harrogate.
On 27th January 1941 this 54 O.T.U. aircraft crashed while the pilot was attempting to force land the aircraft in a field near Harewood Bridge after he became
lost and ran out of fuel. On touching down on land near Dunkeswick, the wheels sunk and the aircraft overturned.
Pilot - Sgt Richard Allison Cousens RAFVR (970365).
Richard Cousens was later posted to 185 Squadron and was killed on 21st November 1941. He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
Master N7566 was built to contract 779602/38 by Phillips & Powys Ltd. at Woodley and was awaiting collection in October 1939 and after a
short period of MU storage it was taken on charge on 30th December 1939 by the newly formed 242 Squadron at Church Fenton. The aircraft was
used for familiarization flights by 242 Squadron. In March 1940 it was transferred to 616 Squadron at Leconfield for the same purpose. 616
Squadron left Leconfield on 4th June 1940 for service in France and N5766 was transferred to Leconfield's Station Flight where it remained
until being taken on charge by the newly formed 54 OTU at Church Fenton on 25th November 1940 and it was flown to them. On 27th January 1941
it sustained Cat.E2/FA damage as a result of the accident detailed above.