Having done SAR radar/NVG letdowns I'm convinced that a crew using the procedures and training I was exposed to in all probability would not have flown in to a large piece of rock. These guys may have been saved by NVG but it's impossible to make that assumption. I still feel that procedural/behavioural influences were a big factor as was automation bias. If you're confident the kit and the procedure is sound (as they were) then you're way less likely to be expecting a nasty surprise. NVGs may, or may not, have been their saviour.