One black box recovered; how long will it take to be decoded

This vibrant color helps in their recovery from wreckage. Every commercial aircraft carries two such recorders:

Flight Data Recorder (FDR): This device logs numerous operational parameters of the aircraft, including altitude, airspeed, heading, engine performance, control surface positions, and thousands of other data points. It continuously records about 25 hours of flight information.

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): The CVR captures all audio within the cockpit, including pilot conversations, radio transmissions with air traffic control, warning alarms, and ambient sounds like engine noises or switch activations. Modern CVRs store the last two hours of audio.

Both recorders are housed in highly reinforced casings made from materials like stainless steel or titanium, designed to withstand extreme impact, fire, and deep-water pressure. They are typically located in the tail section of the aircraft, which is often the least damaged part in a crash.

How long does decoding take?

Once recovered, black boxes are sent to special forensic laboratories. According to aviation analysts, the decoding process involves:

Initial assessment: Experts first check the physical condition of the devices. If damaged, memory components might need careful extraction and repair.
Data extraction: The digital data from both the FDR and CVR is downloaded.
Analysis and synchronisation: Investigators synchronize the voice recordings with the flight data on a shared timeline. This data is then correlated with other evidence, such as radar logs, air traffic control records, and weather information. In some cases, 3D computer simulations are created to reconstruct the aircraft’s movements.

The time it takes to decode varies. If the black boxes are in good condition, initial data can often be read within two to four weeks. However, a full investigation, which involves cross-referencing all data, analyzing maintenance records, and examining wreckage, is a complex process.

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