DEATH OF FAMOUS AIRMAN.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 24 July 1917, Page 6

DEATH OF FAMOUS AIRMAN.

- «©=-- ■ FIANCEE WITNESSES TRAGIC

DIVE TO DEATH.

Major Frank W. Goodden, 8.8P.C, one of the most fearless and successful of British airmen and a famous "looper." lias been killed in a flying accident. The left wing of his machine broke when Major Goodden was 15,000 feet up and the aeroplane fell like a stone. His fiancee was among those who witnessed the tragedy. Major Goodden, who was 26, was often selected to give flying demonstrations for the benefit of distinguished guests, and on more than one occasion he was personally congratulated by the King. He was the first airman to loop the loop at night, and once accomplished the feat 14 times in succession. Eyewitnesses of the accident state that while he was flying at a great speed a report -was heard, parts of the machine were seen to fly out, and in a second the left wing broke and assumed a vertical position, which caused the machine to drop on one side and begin to dive to earth. Then commenced a struggle of skill competing -wfith accident. Sevteral; timfcs Major Goodden succeeded in throwing the weight of the machine on to its remaining geod plane, until at a height of 900 feet the other plane collapsed, and the aeroplane fell like a stone. 'Apparently the pilot unstrapped himself and prepared to take an upward jump as the machine hit the ground. Fate was against him, and hs' was crushed into

the wreckage. At the inquest a verdict of "Death by Accident" was returned.