Upgrading Cockpit Voice Recorders: NTSB Pushes for Enhanced Audio Capture in Aircraft

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is advocating for the retrofitting of current aircraft with better cockpit voice recorders, emphasizing the need for more extensive audio capture in the wake of a recent incident involving the loss of evidence during a door panel blowout on a jetliner over Oregon.

Federal accident investigators in the United States are advocating for the retrofitting of current aircraft with improved cockpit voice recorders. This recommendation stems from the recent incident involving a door panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight over Oregon, which resulted in the loss of crucial audio evidence.

Need for Longer Audio Recordings

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has emphasized the significance of extending the audio recording duration of cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) from the current standard of two hours to 25 hours. This extended capacity would enable the capture of more comprehensive audio data, aiding investigators in better understanding the circumstances surrounding accidents.

FAA's Proposed Requirement

In response to the NTSB's recommendation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a proposal late last year to mandate the 25-hour recording standard on new planes. However, the existing fleet of aircraft would not be covered under this proposal, as airlines tend to retain planes for extended periods.

Global Alignment and Public Feedback

The FAA has highlighted that its proposal aligns with international standards set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the United Nations aviation organization. The agency received approximately 115 public comments during a comment period that concluded on February 2. These comments will be reviewed before the issuance of a final rule.

Significance of Cockpit Voice Recorders

CVRs play a vital role in capturing conversations between pilots and other relevant sounds that can assist investigators in comprehending the circumstances of an accident. However, the limited recording duration of two hours poses challenges in certain situations, as exemplified by the Alaska Airlines incident.

NTSB's Concerns and Recommendations

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed concern about the lack of complete CVR audio in the Alaska Airlines incident, hindering the full understanding of the challenges faced by the flight crew during the emergency. The NTSB has identified at least 14 investigations since 2018 that were impeded due to overwritten recordings, including seven runway close calls in early 2023. Chair Homendy deemed this situation unacceptable.

In 2018, following a near-miss incident involving an Air Canada jet at the San Francisco airport, the NTSB urged the FAA to mandate 25-hour recordings on new planes and, by 2024, on existing planes equipped with voice recorders and flight data recorders (collectively known as black boxes, despite their orange color).

The NTSB's push for enhanced cockpit voice recorders underscores the importance of preserving critical audio data in aircraft accidents. By extending the recording duration to 25 hours, investigators will have access to more comprehensive information, enabling them to better understand the circumstances surrounding accidents and improve aviation safety.