I find it perverse that a person's hobby is seen to take priority over national security. Once again we are the victims of poor
PR and are seen as the bully and in the wrong.
The problem will be if it is proved that the helicopter was breaking the rules. We seem to be a nation that is not prepared to accept responsibility for our own actions (including from PM down at the moment). If the Chinook crew was breaking the rules then they deserve all they get - if they were not, then there is no case to answer. Far too often these days, people do not follow the laws/guidance laid down and when something goes wrong it is not their fault. I refer you to the IPhone thread - I am sure that IPhones are not allowed to be used on military aircraft under release to service rules - yet I am sure that there are many who use them.
Follow the rules, and the law should back you up. Break the rules and be prepared to accept the consequences - everything else is just a poor excuse.
(Descend from soap box.....).