NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-15-003
Recommendation
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require that all newly manufactured aircraft used in extended overwater operations and operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (1) Part 121 or (2) Part 135 that are required to have a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder, be equipped with a means to recover, at a minimum, mandatory flight data parameters; the means of recovery should not require underwater retrieval. Data should be captured from a triggering event until the end of the flight and for as long a time period before the triggering event as possible.
Safety Issue and Context
The NTSB has long been concerned about rapid recovery of recorded information to guide investigations, help determine accident causes, and develop recommendations to prevent recurrences. To focus attention on this issue, the NTSB convened its Emerging Flight Data and Locator Technology Forum on October 7, 2014, in Washington, D.C. Forum discussions among government, industry, and investigative experts helped identify the following safety issues: • Need for improved technologies to locate aircraft wreckage and flight recorders following an accident in a remote location or over water
• Need for timely recovery of critical flight data following an accident in a remote location or over water This letter presents recommendations to address these safety issues and discusses open recommendations regarding cockpit image recorders and the need to protect flight recorder systems against intentional or inadvertent deactivation.
Response History
November 20, 2024 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
On November 20, 2024, FAA staff informed us that the agency is continuing the work described in its May 23, 2023, letters regarding Safety Recommendations A-13-12 and -13 and A-18-30, and its May 30, 2023, letter regarding Safety Recommendations A-15-1 through -4, -7, and -8. We look forward to receiving your next update.
November 8, 2023 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
We note that you continue to work with ICAO to better define timely recovery of flight data (TRFD) and update the minimum operational performance standards (MOPS) in European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) Document ED-112B, “MOPS for Crash Protected Airborne Recorder Systems.” We also note that, once this work has been completed, you still intend to publish an advisory circular (AC) with guidance for operators wishing to install TRFD systems.
Although we believe your continued work with ICAO related to the TRFD is positive, we remain concerned because you previously told us that you do not intend to pursue rulemaking, as recommended. We point out that a requirement for a third recording mechanism is not needed to satisfy the intent of this recommendation; however, a requirement is needed to ensure that applicable aircraft are equipped with a means to recover mandatory flight data parameters in a timelier manner that does not involve underwater recovery of the recording device. Pending our review of a plan for implementing such a requirement, Safety Recommendation A-15-3 remains classified OPEN-- UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.
May 30, 2023 · Recipient Response · FAA
-From Billy Nolen, Acting Administrator: As mentioned in our previous letters, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to work with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and our international partners to:
Better define the Global Aviation Distress and Safety System (GADSS) and Location of an Aircraft in Distress Repository;