Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 6250; Flight Crew Type 775
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
While providing a sightseeing trip to a friend in order to see a specific home from the air I lost track of my altitude and was at one time 350 feet lower than I should have been. The Tower Controller had approved a descent from 1;500 feet to 1;000 feet in order for me to be able to take some photos. When I noticed my altitude; while trying to provide her a good photo; at 650 feet MSL over the water and at times I estimate 650 feet AGL over the land. I violated 91.119(b) in that; 'Over congested areas; an altitude of 1;000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2;000 feet.' To correct; I immediately applied power and climbed back to altitude over the water.At no time was the aircraft in any danger of hitting the ground or do I believe I was 'zooming.' The aircraft never banked more than 15 degrees and only exceeded slightly more than 1G at approximately 90 knots IAS.For me the worst part was not in the violation of FAR 91 regs; but as an experienced CFII and pilot of over XX years and XXXX hours; I lost situational awareness and lost 350 feet of altitude without realizing it. If a student of mine had done this; I would have immediately called his/her attention to it before a 100 feet deviation.A contributing factor was not flying regularly due to the Coronavirus. I was not as proficient as I should have been. Three weeks earlier I had flown a solo warm up flight but obviously this was not enough. In the future I will give myself more proficiency flights and humble myself and fly with another CFI to keep my skill level where it needs to be.
Pilot reported while on a sightseeing trip they went too low; pilot eventually caught the mistake and climbed back to a normal altitude.