A-20-030
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
TO AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, BELL, LEONARDO HELICOPTER DIVISION, AND SIKORSKY: Provide, on your existing turbine-powered helicopters that are equipped with a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder, a means to install a crash-protected cockpit image recorder system that is compliant with Technical Standard Order C176a, “Cockpit Image Recorder Equipment,” or equivalent. The cockpit image recorder system 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 must provide a way to install a crash-protected cockpit image recorder system on their existing turbine-powered helicopters that already have a flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. The system must meet Technical Standard Order C176a, have an independent power source similar to that required for cockpit voice recorders in 14 CFR 29.1457, and be considered essential equipment that stays installed for the helicopter's life and remains operational on each 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).