Private pilot flew too low over congested area.

Attributes
ACN	439300
Time
Date	199906
Day	Sun
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : sfz.airport
State Reference	RI
Altitude	agl single value : 600
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	other
Flight Phase	cruise other
Flight Plan	None
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 24 flight time total : 1100 flight time type : 1000
ASRS Report	439300
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : far other anomaly other
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

While in cruise flight at approximately 1000 ft AGL over a city suburb, I made a descending left turn to look at something on the ground. After completing 360 degrees, I applied power and climbed to regain the altitude that I had lost. I realized that I should have not gone below the 1000 ft minimum requirement and will not let this happen again.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PVT PLT FLEW TOO LOW OVER CONGESTED AREA.

Narrative: WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT APPROX 1000 FT AGL OVER A CITY SUBURB, I MADE A DSNDING L TURN TO LOOK AT SOMETHING ON THE GND. AFTER COMPLETING 360 DEGS, I APPLIED PWR AND CLBED TO REGAIN THE ALT THAT I HAD LOST. I REALIZED THAT I SHOULD HAVE NOT GONE BELOW THE 1000 FT MINIMUM REQUIREMENT AND WILL NOT LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.