Halifax DT676 at Dalton airfield.
During the night of 6th / 7th July 1943 this aircraft was being flown on a training flight with 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit. During the flight either the fuel ran low or the fuel in the selected tanks was allowed to run dry. With the engines failing the crew force-landed the aircraft at Dalton airfield at 03.45hrs but the airfield lighting was not switched on, the aircraft left the runway and ran into a petrol bowser.
Pilot - Sgt Thomas Lightbody Buchanan RAFVR (656930).
Halifax DT676 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 408 Squadron at Leeming on 8th December 1942. It was used by then on their first Halifax operational order on 9th January 1943. As a result of damage sustained on 26th February 1943 minor Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment. The aircraft was repaired on site at Leeming by a team from Handley Page and returned to 408 Squadron on 1st April 1943. It was transferred to 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Topcliffe on 8th June 1943. On 7th July 1943 it crashed at Dalton airfield and Cat.E/FA damage resulted. It was struck off charge on 26th July 1943.