GA small aircraft reported for low flight over populated area.

Attributes
ACN	179390
Time
Date	199105
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : den airport : apa
State Reference	CO
Altitude	msl bound lower : 6600 msl bound upper : 6800
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, High Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
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 : 59 flight time total : 91 flight time type : 91
ASRS Report	179390
Person 2
Function	observation : observer
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : far other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other other : unspecified
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

5/91, I was reported as flying 150' AGL over kipling and jewell. I disagree. My instruments read between 6600' MSL and 6800' MSL during the time I was in the area. I was at 6800' MSL entering the area. I proceeded to make a 180 degree turn to the right, at which time I noticed my altimeter dropping through 6650' MSL. Then I returned to 6800' MSL as quickly as safely possible. I got my altimeter setting of 29.93 from the current ATIS at centennial. The reason I was at 6800' MSL was because I didn't want to accidentally enter the TCA of den. The problem was caused by my decision not to fly in the TCA, and turning around over a populated area. Now I know now to be intimidated to talk with den approach and tell them my intentions. Also, I will always make sure I am flying at least 2000' AGL.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: GA SMA REPORTED FOR LOW FLT OVER POPULATED AREA.

Narrative: 5/91, I WAS RPTED AS FLYING 150' AGL OVER KIPLING AND JEWELL. I DISAGREE. MY INSTRUMENTS READ BTWN 6600' MSL AND 6800' MSL DURING THE TIME I WAS IN THE AREA. I WAS AT 6800' MSL ENTERING THE AREA. I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A 180 DEG TURN TO THE RIGHT, AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED MY ALTIMETER DROPPING THROUGH 6650' MSL. THEN I RETURNED TO 6800' MSL AS QUICKLY AS SAFELY POSSIBLE. I GOT MY ALTIMETER SETTING OF 29.93 FROM THE CURRENT ATIS AT CENTENNIAL. THE REASON I WAS AT 6800' MSL WAS BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO ACCIDENTALLY ENTER THE TCA OF DEN. THE PROB WAS CAUSED BY MY DECISION NOT TO FLY IN THE TCA, AND TURNING AROUND OVER A POPULATED AREA. NOW I KNOW NOW TO BE INTIMIDATED TO TALK WITH DEN APCH AND TELL THEM MY INTENTIONS. ALSO, I WILL ALWAYS MAKE SURE I AM FLYING AT LEAST 2000' AGL.

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.