[Hulka]

Or the pilot actually reverts to instrument flying when IMC and glues his eyes to the instrument panel.

[eyeamok]

True, however the first 2-3 seconds of transitioning to IMC when your eyes have been glued to the ground below you is generally fatal when you are low to the ground, and only 2-3 seconds away from impact to begin with.

[Moonman62]

Or the pilot actually reverts to instrument flying when IMC and glues his eyes to the instrument panel.

...

Correct, but a sudden transition from visual flying to instrument flying can be disorienting.

I suspect that’s what happened.

He may have regained control of the helicopter, but didn’t have enough altitude for the recovery.