Hi =)   
This bug is there still. 
I found out this. 
I was create own mission. 
1 time is view of side gunner correct 
   
i crashed or i Quit 
when i press FLY AGAIN 
View is rotated counterclockwise in 90° in MI-8 i see stern 
   
Quit 
FLY AGAIN 
View is again rotated counterclockwise in another 90°. Now is rotated 90+90= 180° 
I see stomach of my gunner =) 
     
Quit 
FLY AGAIN 
View is again rotated counterclockwise in another 90°. Now is rotated 90+90+90 = 270° 
     
Quit 
FLY AGAIN 
View is again rotated counterclockwise in another 90°. Now is rotated  90+90+90+90 = 360° 
And now is view of side gunner again correct =) 
You can play with side gunner. 
   
---   
Or You can restart whole mission and view is again correct but only for first flight. 
Simply You cant play again with side gunner in started mission, but only every 4-th game.   
I did not test this bug when i landed with first helicopter and i jump in to other helicopter in mission. (No quit, but map F10, click on other heli, F2 and (rALT + J))