Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

In the 15 months before the accident, the pilot had flown either to or from the destination area about 35 times. The pilot flew at least 17 of these flight legs without a CFI on board, of which 5 were at night. Within 100 days before the accident, the pilot had completed about 50 percent of a formal instrument training course.

He was enrolled in and attending a formal instrument training course... doesn't sound like he was being an overconfident elitist....

The AC also states that some illusions might lead to spatial disorientation or the inability to determine accurately the attitude or motion of the aircraft in relation to the earth's surface. The AC further states that spatial disorientation, as a result of continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions, is regularly near the top of the cause/factor list in annual statistics on fatal aircraft accidents. According to AC 60-4A, "Pilot's Spatial Disorientation," tests conducted with qualified instrument pilots indicated that it can take as long as 35 seconds to establish full control by instruments after a loss of visual reference of the earth's surface.

It would seem as if this kind of accident can happen even to fully trained instrument qualified pilots.

NYC99MA178

Not having known him or his family, and not being overly familiar with the incident, I am basing my opinions directly on the NTSB report.
I could be wrong, but have not read anything to indicate such....