On July 20, 1988, a Beech 76 (registration N2074M) was involved in an aviation accident near Portola Valley, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While dining with friends, a pilot announced he would fly over the house before returning to Palo Alto Airport. After circling low, the airplane entered a steep climb and then a spin, impacting with one engine sounding irregular.
Background
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).
Flight Maneuver
The pilot twice circled the residence, which is about 7 miles southwest of PAO, at a low altitude and then proceeded west. Ground witnesses reported that when the airplane was about 1/2 mile west of the residence it entered a 70 degree nose high attitude. The maneuver resembled a left hammerhead stall except before it reached the nose down attitude it entered a left spin.
Witness Observations
One witness close to the accident site reported that the airplane had stopped its spin rotation and was in about a 45 degree nose down attitude at impact. The witnesses near the accident site reported that one of the engines sounded irregular.
Post-Crash Investigation
The post crash investigation disclosed no evidence of any airplane or engine preexisting malfunctions or failures.