Does a Low Flying Complaint Automatically Equal an FAA Violation?

Agency rule addresses ‘careless or reckless operation’ for pilots.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The FAA doesn't define careless or reckless because it's in the eye of the beholder and the agency inspector reviewing your alleged transgression. [Credit: P. Alejandro Díaz/Wikimedia Commons]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA defines "careless or reckless operation" under cFAR 91.13.
The core of this regulation prohibits operating an aircraft in a manner "so as to endanger the life or property of another."
If a pilot adheres to published flight patterns and recommended altitudes, their operation is generally not considered careless or reckless, even if it appears low to non-aviators.

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Question: Does the FAA have a definition of what constitutes “careless or reckless operation?” In ground school we learned about a student pilot who was accused of [that] by someone who lives near the airport because he allegedly flew too low when he was coming in for a landing.

Answer: From your description this sounds like someone who doesn’t like airplanes more than a legitimate safety concern. However, the FAA is required to investigate all complaints.