The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) routinely recovers and analyzes cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders as part of aviation accident investigations.
November 06, 2025
high
process
Standard investigative procedure for aircraft accidents in the United States.
Aircraft flight recorders, including cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders, are built to withstand heat exposure and remain recoverable after fire-related damage.
November 05, 2025
high
technical
Design characteristic intended to preserve recorded flight data for post-accident investigations.
Flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders are typically painted bright orange and have shells made of hardened titanium or stainless steel with internal insulation designed to survive temperatures up to about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit for at least one hour.
November 04, 2025
high
technical
Construction and thermal survivability standards for so-called 'black boxes'
Cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders are commonly referred to as 'black boxes'.
November 04, 2025
high
definition
Terminology used for the devices that record flight data and cockpit audio in aircraft.
Aviation accident investigations commonly involve recovery and analysis of flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders (often called 'black boxes').
November 04, 2025
high
procedural
Flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders are standard sources of objective data used to establish event timelines and crew communications.
Flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders recovered from aircraft accidents are sent to laboratories for preliminary examination as part of standard aviation accident investigations.
October 26, 2025
high
procedural
Describes a common investigative procedure for analyzing onboard recording devices after aircraft accidents.
Aviation accident investigators extract information from cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders to reconstruct flight events and timelines.
high
procedural
common investigative sources and methods used in aviation accident investigations
Flight data recorders (black boxes) record flight parameters that investigators use to determine aspects of a flight such as altitude during takeoff and other performance metrics.
high
technical
Explains the general function and investigative use of flight data recorders.