page 45 - American Bonanza Society

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Every one of the high-speed airshow pass accidents resulted from
a loss of airspeed, a stall, and, com monly, a spin.
Only about 14% of the airplanes
involved in this type of mishap are
normally considered to be aerobatic
– such as Pitts, Stearmans, or P-51s.
I imagine that 14% is actually representative
of the aerobatic aircraft
population at most air shows. No
pilot, and no airplane type, is immune.
“Substantial damage” or destruction of
the airplane were the results in 99.5%
of airshow pass accidents. Around
47% of these mishaps proved fatal
and in these cases, a great number of
innocent passengers and spectators
died as well.
FAR 91.119 tells us that the spectacle
of the airshow pass is illegal. The regulation
for minimum altitude says:
n Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a
power unit fails, an emergency landing
without undue hazard to persons or
property on the surface.
n Over congested areas. Over any congested
area of a city, town, or settlement,
or over any open air assembly of persons,
an altitude of 1,000 feet above
the highest obstacle within a horizontal
radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
n Over other than congested areas. An
altitude of 500 feet above the surface,
except over open water or sparsely
populated areas. In those cases, the
aircraft may not be operated closer
than 500 feet to any person, vessel,
vehicle, or structure.
If there’s someone on the ground
to watch, you need to be at least 500
feet away from the closest person. The
FAA has repeatedly cited pilots for
making “airshow passes” over crowds
at fly-ins, in public areas (like a golf
course), and even private property. To
violate the rule requires a written FAA
exemption… and adhering to the limitations
of altitude exemptions is one
of the most closely scrutinized items
for professional airshow performers.
Diving at the runway, flying along
low at high speed, and climbing above
the crowd provide a rush of adrenaline.
But it’s illegal, and it’s frequently
deadly. Leave the airshow pass to the
air show professionals.
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44 AMERICAN BONANZA SOCIETY MAY 2013