Transcripts from last summer’s deadly crash of Comair Flight 5191, released today by the National Transportation Safety Board, show that at least co-pilot James Polehinke knew something wasn’t right. Polehinke, the lone survivor of the crash that killed 49 people on Aug. 27, noted the airstrip was “weird with no lights” shortly before the plane went down.

According to the federal investigation, pilot Jeffery Clay took off from the wrong runway—one that was too short for commercial flights—shortly before Polehinke took over the controls. The plane remained so low that it hit a fence and crash instantly.

The runway decision (or misunderstanding) was difficult enough to comprehend when we first examined the reasons behind the crash. But now, in light of Polehinke’s remarks, it becomes even harder to discern why two experienced pilots continued down an unlit airstrip that, according to the NTSB, was designated strictly for daytime use.

All parties involved have pointed fingers at each other—and the NTSB has stressed that the information released today contains no analysis of the crash, just factual findings. The investigation into Comair 5191 found that runways at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., had been changed a week before the crash because of construction. Although the FAA had notified airlines, the maps and charts used by Comair’s pilots and those of several other airlines were not updated.

The antiquated airport navigation system may have been at least partially responsible for the crash. In use since the early days of aviation, the magnetic compass and paper diagram are a far cry from the Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) that contain digital maps of airport terrain updated weekly, and Airport Moving Maps, which operate with EFBs to show a plane’s location on the runway.

Although EFBs might help prevent human error, the units aren’t available on many planes currently, and experts say EFBs won’t be available on most aircraft for at least 10 to 15 years. Experts cite the age of airline fleets and the cost of updating planes; the FAA typically does not require technology that airlines can’t afford. In the meantime, the NTSB has asked pilots to always check their runways before takeoff; the FAA has suggested airlines find a way to get the latest airport design maps to their pilots. —Erin McCarthy