PLT OF A SMA SEL FLEW LOW OVER LAKE AND WAS CITED BY A GOV RANGER. THIS PROMPTED GREETINGS FROM THE FAA OF AN INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT.

Narrative

ON SEP/XX/94 I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM A HUNTING TRIP AND WAS EXPECTING FRIENDS UP FROM SACRAMENTO IN A WK OR SO WHO WERE BRINGING THEIR BOAT. I DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK AT LAKE ENGLEBRIGHT FROM THE AIR ON THE WAY BY AS I HAD NEVER BEEN ON THE LAKE. I FLEW LOW OVER THE LAKE AND TURNED AND FLEW BACK. I BELIEVE I WAS ALWAYS AT LEAST 500 FT AWAY FROM ANY PERSON; VESSEL; VEHICLE OR STRUCTURE. ACCORDING TO FAA REGS PART 91.79 PARAGRAPH C; YOU CAN FLY OVER OPEN WATER; IN OTHER THAN CONGESTED AREAS; AT ANY ALT SO LONG AS YOU REMAIN AT LEAST 500 FT AWAY FROM ANY PERSON; VESSEL; VEHICLE OR STRUCTURE. I DID NOT KNOW ANYONE ON THE LAKE; I WAS NOT BUZZING ANYONE ON THE LAKE. I JUST MADE 2 PASSES OVER THE LAKE TO LOOK AT IT. I SAW ONLY 1 BOAT ON THE LAKE AND I WAS TO THE SIDE OF THAT BOAT BY AT LEAST 500 FT. I RECEIVED A TICKET FROM THE PARK MGR AT ENGLEBRIGHT LAKE; UNITED STATES GOV DISTRICT; (ADDRESS) THAT SAYS A MANDATORY APPEARANCE IS NECESSARY AT THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT; SACRAMENTO. NO DATE HAS BEEN SET. I ALSO RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM THE FAA FOR MY PLT AND MEDICAL CERTIFICATION; PLT LOGBOOKS AND MAINT RECORDS; INCLUDING AIR WORTHINESS AND REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE.