Crab....you know as well as anyone....there are "pressures" applied that are even sub-conscious pressures.
Even at a 1000 foot ceiling and 3sm Vis....on an overcast night....there are more than a few times there is n nothing to be seen outside the aircraft in remote areas.
Could it have simply been as easy as merely losing control of the aircraft due to vertigo?
That can happen with zero overt pressure to fly being applied by anyone.