"The initial point of impact was a runway light stanchion located about 1,800 feet from the runway threshold," said Senior Air Safety Investigator Dan Baker. "The airplane subsequently impacted trees, two other runway light stanchions and the airport perimeter fence short of the runway threshold before coming to rest near the runway threshold."

The National Transportation Safety Board has examined whether those lights could have made it more difficult for the helicopter crew to keep tabs on the plane and whether night vision goggles it believes the crew was using could have made their difficult task even more challenging.

Officials provide an update on the Cessna Citation crash in Statesville, N.C. that left NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and family dead.