Altitude Estimated At Between 200 and 400 Feet

A man from Long Island, NY, has been arrested for allegedly flying his Cessna 172 too low near a high school in Bellmore, NY, resulting in a charge of reckless endangerment.

The pilot, Marc Capus, is accused of flying the plane at an altitude of 200-400 feet agl and making steep turns near Kennedy High School on June 17th.

The Associated Press reports that Capus was identified by ATC personnel after he laded the plane. He was arrested by local police and FAA officials at his home on Saturday. He faces a single charge of reckless endangerment.

FARs require that, except when necessary for taking off or landing, when operating VFR, an an airplane must fly at an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of less than 2,000 feet over congested areas; an altitude of 500 feet AGL over populated areas; and at an altitude allowing for a linear distance greater than 500 from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure over open water or sparsely populated areas.

FMI: www.faa.gov