The ATSB will be around two years and there is little chance of a valid explanation, usually just a couple of suggestions with little evidence. Now is the time to discuss, not in two years, especially if someone here learns from it. Nothing has been said here that could be used against the pilot, fellow pilots or the industry
Well said. Re pitch up illusion on take off as the cause of night accidents. This is commonly trotted out as one likely cause. If true it makes you wonder why aircraft are not crashing all over Australia on every dark night outback departure. There is a strong case that daylight "under the hood" instrument flying training does not necessarily adequately prepare students for dark night circuits, for example.
In daylight simulated instrument flying, it is normal (and very common) for the student to see a horizon in his peripheral vision. The temptation to sneak a quick look outside during simulated instrument flying is very strong and often the instructor will not know if the student is cheating. Every pilot has "cheated" at some time in his early instrument flying training and even on instrument rating tests under the hood. That is the beauty of proper simulators because you can't `cheat`.
But dark night circuits away from extensive ground lighting, is serious stuff for experienced IFR pilots let alone trainee pilots. . Before being sent solo at night under those conditions, a student should be certified as thoroughly competent at night instrument flying including low altitude go-arounds from the flare with everything hanging out (flaps and landing gear).
Nothing said here implies that happened on this occasion. But is a general warning to instructors that night instrument flying skill is so vital to student pilots undergoing night circuit training as well as night VFR cross-country flights.