What the heck were they thinking doing a loop that low? I mean, is the risk of mass death ever worth a "show"? Why increase it substantially with no margin for error with these "close" maneuvers? Terrible.
"That low????!?!?" it wasn't supposed to
be that low! These maneuvers are supposed to have a minimum height at the bottom of around 200 or 300 feet. That minimum is judged by the known space needed for the maneuver, which is then executed with enough height at the top to clear at the bottom. Something in that process is what went wrong.
Keep in mind, this is not a "stunt!" This very aircraft has been doing this demonstration for quite some time. Whatever was different
this time is what has to be determined and possibly corrected.
I know in my earlier reference to the 2003 Thunderbirds accident, their process for setting altimeters before the show was completely revised.
I'm surprised that manoeuvres like that (loops etc etc), are carried out inland and not over the sea, considering how close it is to the sea.
So you want the air show to be out over a space no one can see it, then.......
The show was at the airport, and the crowd was gathered at the airport. To gather on the beach and have the show over the water entails a whole other set of logistics, such as parking, crowd assembly, marine traffic, etc.
That's not to say it isn't done, as I can think of at least 5 VERY large annual air shows here in the states that are waterfront. But generally air shows are at air fields, where there is plenty of space to park, plenty of space to assemble and control the crowd, and the ground activity can be part of the demonstration.