Pesachim 73a מקלקל בחבורה פטור

A prohibited melacha on Shabbat only requires a korban chattat when it has a constructive impact. When the action is destructive and has no positive side effect, it is prohibited but does not carry the consequences of a melacha de'oraitta. When the destructive outcome is an halachik one rather than a physical one, it is not considered destructive according to the Minchat Chinuch this episode explains.