CAAP 92-2 is an
Advisory guide for landing sites: Gary's accident was not during a landing or take off phase of flight. Apart from that, the
suggested lighting requirements for a Standard HLS are:
or by a combination of markings and floodlighting
How do you know that there was no floodlighting? A car headlight can supply perfectly adequate floodlighting, I've had no problems along those lines in the past.
A needless red herring has been introduced here: I'd suggest that a deeper knowledge of helicopter operations on what is generally a fixed wing Forum would introduce a more balanced outlook on this accident.
And FWIW, the ABC operation would have been aerial work or private. The speculation about it being Charter again shows a general lack of understanding of helicopter operations, and media related work. (Apart from the requirement that the pilot be Instrument Rated for night charter work in a rated twin helicopter
)