# NTSB LAX88FA264: Beech 76, N2074M, Portola Valley, CA, July 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1988, 21:05 local (Jul 20, 1988, 04:05 UTC)
- Place: Portola Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450466, -122.169944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4505&lon=-122.1699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA264

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2074M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2074M-1993-08-27), registration cancelled 1993-08-27, S/N ME88 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 76
- Registry model: [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76) (registry code 1153005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ME-88
- Airframe hours: 3650
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1G6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. D'Ambrosia, Et Al
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Destination: PAO
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 322 total, 29 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Observed at: PAO

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880719029139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880719029139A), Jul 19, 1988: Beech 76, Portola Valley, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot made hammerhead stall at low altitude. Spun in and crashed into residential yard flipping into a pool.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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