There are two issues here- personal morality, which the "chip on shoulder about rich jet pilots" brigade seem a little short on, and the law. Legal liability depends on evidence. It's a lot harder to prove a shoot down than who hit who in car crash. Legally, if the evidence is there and the shooter is negligent, he will have to pay the damages. Maybe the pilot was also negligent. If so, his damages will be reduced accordingly. I guess what most people expect is honesty and for the guilty party to "own up". Wishfull thinking perhaps but perfectly reasonable IMO.