CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN: BUZZING OR LOW-LEVEL ACROBATICS
This happens mostly during day VMC conditions where the goal is low passes, photo passes, airshow operations, persons watching, or aerobatic practice.
Unseen obstacles such as guy wires, transmission lines, towers, often are the first point of contact. Attempting acrobatic flight for the first time, or attempting acrobatic maneuvers too close to the surface area, or disorientation during high G maneuvers often cause fatal impact with the terrain.
Numerous fatal accidents have been caused by attempted loop maneuver that was started too low and cannot be completed before impact.
SOLUTION:
Try to avoid impromptu buzzing or unplanned low passes. Experimental acro is rarely a good idea and it is best to start high with an experienced acro CFI.
Use of Foreflight is highly recommended for obstacle avoidance during low level flight, but overall low-level flight is highly dangerous and the best solution is to not participate in this type of flying.
SAMPLE ACCIDENT REPORT :
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's decision to fly along the river at a low altitude contrary to applicable regulations and safety of flight considerations which resulted in the impact with the power lines.
Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see the and avoid the power lines due to their proximity to a bend in the river and the position of the sun at the time of the accident. NTSB Accident Number CEN18FA011.