NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation A-15-008 to FAA for Cockpit Image Recorders

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued Safety Recommendation A-15-008, designated as DCA14SS009, addressed directly to the Federal Aviation Administration. This recommendation mandates that all newly manufactured aircraft operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 or Part 135 must be equipped with a crash-protected cockpit image recording system. These requirements apply specifically to aircraft that are already mandated to have both a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder. The proposed equipment must comply with Technical Standard Order TSO-C176a, titled Cockpit Image Recorder Equipment, or an equivalent standard. Additionally, the cockpit image recorder should be equipped with an independent power source consistent with the requirements for cockpit voice recorders outlined in 14 CFR 25.1457. This new directive supersedes the previous Safety Recommendation A-00-31.