Yes, there are two lessons to be learned here. One is about interface design. Or maybe more broadly about system design.
The other is how to deal with being arrested, or targeted in an investigation. "Refusing to cooperate" is always the smart move. Because cooperating will always make it worse, notwithstanding claims to the contrary. And it's sad that this person is being criticized for being smart.
I don’t think it’s the right move. There’s a difference between refusing to cooperate and willfully participating with appropriate counsel (union, lawyer, etc).
Imagine if airline employees didn’t cooperate in crash investigations. Or restaurant employees in outbreak investigations.
You shouldn’t be brash and speak without counsel, but stonewalling an official investigation will not end well for the stonewaller.
Maybe I'm reading too much into the situation, but it's my impression that "cooperat[ing] with FCC, internal investigators" means talking with them without support from counsel and union representatives. Or at least, sharing more than they advise. I expect that it takes some time for them to negotiate on his behalf with those investigators. And in the meantime, saying nothing is the best option.
Also, "cooperating" implies some shared goal. Such as discovering the facts of the matter. But that's very likely not the case here. These investigators arguably need someone to blame, and the likely candidate is pretty clear. The "button pusher" needs to focus attention on underlying problems, and that's a huge burden for a drone. Others with expertise need to do that.
The crash investigation is legally protected. Investigators don't have as their objective "find someone to blame" but "prevent future harm". Accordingly, co-operating with them makes sense because they are trying to make everything better, not trying to pick who gets strung up.
The other is how to deal with being arrested, or targeted in an investigation. "Refusing to cooperate" is always the smart move. Because cooperating will always make it worse, notwithstanding claims to the contrary. And it's sad that this person is being criticized for being smart.