A-20-028
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
TO AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, BELL, LEONARDO HELICOPTER DIVISION, AND SIKORSKY: Install, on your newly manufactured turbine-powered helicopters that are equipped with a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder, a crash-protected cockpit image recorder system compliant with Technical Standard Order C176a, “Cockpit Image Recorder Equipment,” or equivalent. The cockpit image recorder should be equipped with an independent power source consistent with that required for cockpit voice recorders in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 29.1457. The recorder system installation should be considered essential equipment that remains installed for the life of the helicopter and have provisions to ensure it remains operational during each flight.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Leonardo Helicopter Division, and Sikorsky are asked to install a crash-protected cockpit image recorder system, compliant with Technical Standard Order C176a, on all new turbine-powered helicopters that are already equipped with flight data and cockpit voice recorders. The recorder must have an independent power source matching the requirement for cockpit voice recorders in 14 CFR 29.1457, be considered essential equipment for the helicopter's lifetime, and include provisions to ensure it operates during every flight.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Open - Acceptable Response |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | — |
| NTSB number | CEN17FA252 |
| Addressees | Airbus |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).