Jet/Long Ranger/206
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 9200; Flight Crew Type 30
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Human Factors
On a simulated medical pickup using NVG I over torqued the helicopter because I had overlooked turning the landing lights [on/off?]. When I realized how close I was to the ground I pulled in collective and over torqued. I did not pull the circuit breaker to see how much I had exceeded the limits until landing at base which was 3 minutes away. I should have notified [Dispatch] immediately. I thought the torque warning was flashing once per second and all systems were normal.
Reporter states that this practice landing was to an inactive runway with no lights what so ever in the landing zone and the intent was to have the landing lights turned on. Normal accident scene landings have numerous emergency vehicles in the area with lights flashing and a completely dark landing zone is very rare.
Helicopter pilot reports over torquing the gearbox during a practice NVG landing due inability to see the ground approaching; then flying back to base.