Incident Overview
A helicopter impacted terrain while reversing course in an unlit area during a dark night with marginal visual flight rules (VFR) weather conditions.
Preflight Weather Briefing
Prior to the flight, the pilot received an abbreviated preflight weather briefing. During this briefing, the pilot did not request to receive the area forecast, which had forecast cloud ceilings below 1,000 feet above ground level and visibilities less than 3 statute miles in precipitation, fog, and mist along the intended route. Additionally, the pilot declined to hear an airman's meteorological information (AIRMET) that forecast areas of instrument flight conditions and mountain obscuration along the route of flight. The briefer advised the pilot that VFR flight was not recommended.
Accident Circumstances
The accident occurred when the helicopter was reversing course. The location was an unlit area, and the time was a dark night. The weather at the time was described as marginal VFR.