Pilot was NOT Bryant, there was heavy fog and the pilot requested special clearance to fly in the fog.
Most were not flying due to conditions.
So why did them give them special clearance?
Dad work for Sikorsky’s for 40 years. Works on the first commercial helicopter, believe it was the S-39. He never flew in one just didn’t feel safe. He was right. Also Igor thought that helicopters would be safety vehicle to help and rescue people.
When a helicopter loses power, it falls like a rock which this one did. Not pilot error, mechanical error.