Dreamland,
it was reported that the tower gave permission,...I don't count this as aerobatic or risky---and I know the FARs and rules for air shows/ aerobatics/ formation flying---landing gear inspections happen at times---and when they are asking for a such a check---they probably don't want to land immediately!
---also anyone ever see some of the Circling minima published
in a circling approach the aircraft is in a much more vulnerable configuration.
any 30hr student should be able to do a clean flyby---and any 2000hr+
line pilot should be able to do so in a jet
and I think D.P. Davies could have pulled it off too
