PA-28 pilot reported descending too low toward terrain; then climbing back up.
Synopsis
PA-28 pilot reported descending too low toward terrain; then climbing back up.
Narrative
I went out for a late afternoon VFR flight by myself. My kids were nearby at a property cleaning horse stalls; so I decided to go fly over and check on them. I passed overhead at approximately 1;000AGL and saw them outside; so I circled back around to make a second pass by them. When I made the turn around; I got excited to see my kids waving at me and allowed myself to descend to approximately 700AGL. This was not a violation of any FARs due to 91.119(C) stating a minimum altitude of 500' AGL; but regardless I do not like that I allowed myself to get as low as I did and approach a minimum altitude like I did. While I was perfectly in control and it was a perfectly safe operation; as a professional pilot I hold myself to a very high and professional standard. I allowed myself to slip from in this brief moment. All pilots are susceptible to inadvertent mess ups; but for a professional pilot like myself; I should not have allowed myself to get so close to a minimum safe altitude like I did. I can say with 100% certainty that I will not allow myself to do anything like that ever again; and will ensure that I always remain above any and all minimum required altitudes.
Second reporter narrative
I went out for a late afternoon VFR flight by myself. My kids were working nearby at a rural property cleaning horse stalls; so I decided to go fly over and check on them. I passed overhead at approximately 1200-1000' AGL. When passing overhead; I saw them outside so I maneuvered to make a 180 degree turn to position myself to where I could see them out of the left hand side pilot side window. When I made the turn around; I got excited to see my kids waving at me and allowed myself to very briefly descend to approximately 700-600' AGL. As soon as I realized that I was approaching the minimum safe altitude of 500' AGL; I immediately initiated a climb back to 2000' MSL and returned directly to the airport. No persons; livestock; or structures were at any point with 500 ft of my aircraft; and at no time was anyone placed in danger in any way. While I was perfectly in control and this was a perfectly safe operation; as a professional pilot I hold myself to a very high and professional standard. I allowed myself to slip from those standards in this brief moment. As soon as I landed and got home; I reviewed 91.119 as a refresher to myself for all minimum altitude requirements in all phases of flight. This was not a violation of any FARs due to 91.119(C) stating a minimum altitude of 500' AGL and I never went below that; but regardless I do not like that I allowed myself to get as low as I did and inadvertently approach a minimum altitude. All pilots are susceptible to inadvertent mess ups; but for a professional pilot like myself; I should not have allowed myself to get so close to a minimum safe altitude. I can say with 100% certainty that I will not allow myself to descend to an altitude that low ever again; and will ensure that I always remain above any and all minimum required altitudes. This event has reinforced to me the requirement and expectation that as PIC it is my responsibility to always remain vigilant and to remember that 'just because it is legal; does not mean it is smart.'
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.