In a significant development following the crash of American Airlines Flight 5342, divers have successfully located and retrieved the black boxes from the site. The flight, which departed from Wichita, Kansas, at 5:18 p.m. CST, was en route to Washington D.C.'s Reagan National Airport and dropped out of the air on its approach at approximately 8:48 p.m. ET. The crash occurred just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting an extensive investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
The NTSB confirmed that both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) have been recovered. These devices are critical in understanding the events leading up to the crash. The CVR captures cockpit sounds, including radio transmissions and pilots' voices, while the FDR logs key flight parameters such as altitude, airspeed, and heading.
In accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, large commercial aircraft must be outfitted with these two types of black boxes. Each black box is equipped with an Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB), designed to emit a signal detectable by special receivers even at depths of up to 14,000 feet.
"It transmits an acoustical signal on 37.5 KHz that can be detected with a special receiver," – NTSB online fact sheet
After recovery, technicians immerse each black box in fresh, clean water. This process prevents any deposits from forming on the devices. John Cox, an expert in aviation safety, explained the procedure followed once the devices reach the laboratory.
"When the technicians at the laboratory are ready to download the data, they take the recorder out of the freshwater bath, carefully open it and dry any sections that have been exposed to water," – John Cox
"They then download the data into special computers that can read the information." – John Cox
The presence of a military helicopter at the crash site adds another layer to the investigation, as it too carried some form of recording equipment. The data collected from all sources will be integral in deciphering the sequence of events that led to this tragic incident.
As efforts continue to analyze the retrieved data, aviation experts and authorities remain focused on uncovering critical insights. The findings will not only shed light on what transpired during Flight 5342's final moments but also contribute to future aviation safety measures.
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