"Low and Fast: Is it Safe and Is it Legal?” discussed the hazards, risks and consequences of intentional low altitude flight for thrill purposes. Loss of Control and collision with terrain and obstacles harm pilots and passengers every year.
The FAA prohibits intentional flight below 500 feet agl unless for the purposes of takeoff and landing or over open water or sparsely populated areas. The NTSB investigates numerous examples of accidents related to the violation of this regulation every year.
According to the NTSB, CFIT and Low Altitude Operations are two of the top four fatal accident causes. Unfortunately, many pilots believe that buzzing their local airport or the neighbor is perfectly safe and legal. That is not true.
- Flat hatting is: Any maneuvers conducted at low altitude and/or a high rate of speed for thrill purposes.
- It is not legal to perform a low altitude pass over the runway for thrill purposes, to show off, or to impress the neighbors
- Often pilots who violate altitude regulations by flying low have a disdain for the rules.
- Low and fast flight behavior is a safety culture problem in GA.
- The tower cannot waive 14 CFR 119 and permit a low altitude pass down the runway.
- The lowest altitude legally permitted over Lake Winnebago near Oshkosh, WI is 500 feet agl.
- The following hazards exist in the low altitude environment:
- Wires
- Towers
- Birds
- Distractions
