A-99-017
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require all aircraft manufactured after January 1, 2003, that must carry both a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and a digital flight data recorder (DFDR) to be equipped with two combination (CVR/DFDR) recording systems. One system should be located as close to the cockpit as practicable and the other as far aft as practicable. Both recording systems should be capable of recording all mandatory data parameters covering the previous 25 hours of operation and all cockpit audio including controller-pilot data link messages for the previous 2 hours of operation. The system located near the cockpit should be provided with an independent power source that is located with the combination recorder, and that automatically engages and provides 10 minutes of operation whenever normal aircraft power ceases, either by normal shutdown or by a loss of power to the bus. The aft system should be powered by the bus that provides the maximum reliability for operation without jeopardizing service to essential or emergency loads, whereas the system near the cockpit should be powered by the bus that provides the second highest reliability for operation without jeopardizing service to essential or emergency loads.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The Federal Aviation Administration is asked to require that aircraft built after January 1, 2003, which are already required to carry a cockpit voice recorder and a digital flight data recorder, be fitted with two combination (CVR/DFDR) recording systems. One system must be installed as close to the cockpit as practical and the other as far aft as practical. Both systems must record all mandatory data parameters for the previous 25 hours and cockpit audio (including data link messages) for the previous 2 hours. The forward system must have a dedicated independent power source that automatically provides 10 minutes of operation after normal aircraft power is lost, while the aft system should be powered by the bus offering the highest reliability without compromising essential or emergency loads, and the forward system by the bus with the second-highest reliability.
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 | Closed - Unacceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Oct 14, 2008 |
| NTSB number | DCA98RA085 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).