Exercise off Sardinia: Controlled flight into terrain (water) CFIT. Night amphibious assault from USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) (Wx: 3K ft overcast, moonless night) Dash 3 in flight of 4 AH-1T, pilot in front seat at controls, lost SA due to limited flight instrumentation and and visual cues impacted water. Back seat pilot survived.
