I would be surprised if it wasnt pilot error. Conditions were...

I would be surprised if it wasnt pilot error. Conditions were poor it seems and easy to inadvertently enter whiteout conditions in mountainous terrain. Pressonitis is a known factor and who knows what pressure the pilot was experiencing.

I worked for a helicopter company that lost a machine flying to the gosowong mine in Indonesia. Flew into non visual conditions below lowest safe altitiude on the direct track. Had the option to go to the south around the terrain but ignored it.