IMO, instances such as this dumb daredevil stunt, the FAA was correct in its denial. Not surprising the individuals involved proceeded anyway since video interviews illustrated their wide eyed, grinning cocky attitude.
Like it or not the FAA does have people’s safety in mind, from the spectator to the innocent walking down the street.
So, move stunts such as this to other less restricted countries where you can take spectators with you into the smoking hole in the ground.
FAA needs to ground these weenies.