Frank Goodden
Encyclopedia
Major Frank Widenham Goodden (3 October 1889 - 28 January 1917) was the chief test pilot for the Royal Aircraft Factory located at Farnborough
, Hants., Great Britain, a position to which he was appointed by 1915.
In the late summer of 1916, reports had filtered back to the Factory that the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8
was involved in a series of spinning accidents and that the type's reputation had garnered the nickname the "spinning incinerator". To disprove this, Goodden deliberately spun an F.E.8 three times in both directions from an altitude of no more than 3,500 ft and recovered by applying customary control inputs.
Goodden was killed in a crash at RAE Farnborough
on 28 January 1917 while flying one of the first prototypes of the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
, when it broke up in flight. At the time of his death, Goodden was one of Britain's most experienced pilots. Inspection found that the wings had suffered failure in downward torsion. Plywood webs were added to the compression ribs, curing the trouble and were standardized on all later S.E.5s and 5as.
He was buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery
.
Farnborough, Hampshire
-History:Name changes: Ferneberga ; Farnburghe, Farenberg ; Farnborowe, Fremborough, Fameborough .Tower Hill, Cove: There is substantial evidence...
, Hants., Great Britain, a position to which he was appointed by 1915.
In the late summer of 1916, reports had filtered back to the Factory that the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8
Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bruce, J.M. The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps . London: Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30084-X.* Bruce, J.M. British Aeroplanes 1914–18. London: Putnam, 1957....
was involved in a series of spinning accidents and that the type's reputation had garnered the nickname the "spinning incinerator". To disprove this, Goodden deliberately spun an F.E.8 three times in both directions from an altitude of no more than 3,500 ft and recovered by applying customary control inputs.
Goodden was killed in a crash at RAE Farnborough
Farnborough Airfield
Farnborough Airport or TAG London Farnborough Airport is an airport situated in Farnborough, Rushmoor, Hampshire, England...
on 28 January 1917 while flying one of the first prototypes of the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. Although the first examples reached the Western Front before the Sopwith Camel and it had a much better overall performance, problems with its Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-output H-S...
, when it broke up in flight. At the time of his death, Goodden was one of Britain's most experienced pilots. Inspection found that the wings had suffered failure in downward torsion. Plywood webs were added to the compression ribs, curing the trouble and were standardized on all later S.E.5s and 5as.
He was buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery
Aldershot Military Cemetery
Aldershot Military Cemetery, is a burial ground for military personnel, or ex-military personnel. It is located in Aldershot Military Town, Hampshire...
.
See also
- List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (pre-1925)
- List of pilots awarded an Aviator's Certificate by the Royal Aero Club in 1913