Safety
NTSB urges increased CVR capacity, reliability
The NTSB has had longstanding concerns about the lack of cockpit voice recorder (CVR) information following reportable accidents or incidents.

The NTSB has had longstanding concerns about the lack of cockpit voice recorder (CVR) information following reportable accidents or incidents. And although there are requirements about retaining CVR information–FAR 135.151(c) and 121.359(f)–the Safety Board wants the FAA to take stronger action by requiring deactivation of the CVR after an incident or accident and requiring a functional check of the device before each flight of the day.

“The CVR can be one of the most valuable tools used for accident investigation. Unfortunately, an increasing number of safety investigations are being hampered because of a lack of CVR data,” according to the Safety Board. “Our audio laboratory regularly receives CVRs with missing or irrelevant data,” said an NTSB official.