Check, I too like the constant commentary from the handling pilot whether I'm sighted or not. Just gives you a good idea as to how the approach is going and you can tell from their voice, how they are coping with it, whether all is well or if they are having difficulty.
The problem is (if you can call it that) I've never had to go around from a night time approach or had a major problem landing at night. But I'm aware that when it does happen, it'll happen quickly, I may not be aware that it has gone wrong until it has become too late.
I was interested in this report from Australia of a 332 that flew into the water at night whilst approaching a boat and entered vortex ring. Both successfully exited the ditched aircraft and were rescued
...... Both pilots were focussing their attention both inside and outside the cockpit rather than having one pilot assigned to look outside and fly the approach and the other to monitor the instruments; neither pilot had experience with visual illusions and both had a high comfort level with the operation being conducted. Both pilots were Training Captains .........
It just this feeling, it can happen to anyone. Will happen quickly and the onset of problems won't be immediately recognisable, as it would be with the visual cues available during the day.
I've been passed a few reports and websites regarding analysis of offshore accidents. It is certainly making for some very interesting reading - I'm trying to collate some facts and figures and will report back. The quick summary is that accidents used to be largely mechanical failures, but these seem to be reducing dramatically, I guess to due improvements in aircraft design. Also, flying sectors have reduced over the years and so, as we are flying less now you would expect less accidents. Combine these together and you get the situation we are in now where our safety record is really very good, but those accidents we have are proportionally more likely to be pilot error.
More to come !!