Since I was not sure of all the datails I did some surfing and came up with this on Art Scholl:
The official NTSB report:

NTSB ID: LAX85LA393, Microfiche # 30347A

Accident occurred 9-16-85 at Carlesbad, CA

Aircraft: Pitts S-2A, Registration: N13AS

Injuries: 1 Fatal

After completing an upright spin over the Pacific ocean during the filming of a movie (Top Gun) viewed from the spinning aircraft, the pilot climbed his aircraft back to the entry altitude and entered a flat inverted spin. The aircraft was observed to spin through its recovery altitude at which time the pilot radioed "I have a problem, I have a real problem." Neither the pilot nor the aircraft were recovered.

Probable Cause:

Stall/spin. Intentional. Pilot in command.

Descent not corrected. Pilot in command.



Many miss watching the magic only Art could perform - he will always be with us, though, in spirit.