Agree. Not allowed is by the company policy and agreements with the FAA. Nonetheless, a series of decisions led to a tragic ending.
Transitioning suddenly from VFR to IFR is fraught with dangers, even for the best pilots properly certified to fly both. Helicopters, even new ones, don’t exactly fly themselves.
Also, one thing I haven’t seen discussed, is how often helicopters DO proceed in marginal conditions. The nature of the helicopter makes this generally safer than in fixed-wing craft. They can stop, hover, or actually be set down in a safe spot if going on is to difficult. See, e.g., Alaska flight rules and the use of helicopters.
“Nonetheless, a series of decisions led to a tragic ending.”
True. Seasoned professional pilots will tell you that it is never just one thing that leads to these crashes.
Holes can and do fly themselves. I live near a Chinook base and have discussed this with several pilots. One even let the AP fly in a sandstorm AND land the helo because it was his only choice to get out of danger. He says he is still not un-pukered after three years.
https://www.cnet.com/news/new-chinooks-boast-autopilot-features-but-best-tech-may-be-yet-to-come/
That said. It is a very expensive feature.