LAX88FA264

Factual narrative

WHILE DINING WITH FRIENDS WITH WHOM HE RESIDED, THE PILOT TOLD THEM THAT HE WAS 'GOING FLYING'. AT THE COMPLETION OF THE FLIGHT HE WOULD FLY OVER THE HOUSE BEFORE HE RETURNED TO PALO ALTO AIRPORT (PAO). THE PILOT TWICE CIRCLED THE RESIDENCE WHICH IS ABT 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PAO AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND THEN PROCEEDED WEST. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABT 1/2 MILE WEST OF THE RESIDENCE IT ENTERED A 70 DEG NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE MANEUVER RESEMBLED A LEFT HAMMERHEAD STALL EXCEPT BEFORE IT REACHED THE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE IN ENTERED A LEFT SPIN. ONE WITNESS CLOSE TO THE ACCIDENT SITE RPTD THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD STOPPED ITS SPIN ROTATION AND WAS IN ABT A 45 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AT IMPACT. THE WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE REPTD THAT 1 OF THE ENGS SOUNDED IRREGULAR. THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRPLANE OR ENGINE PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12