Aviation accidents: What is a black box?

When we hear of aviation accidents we often hear the term “black box.” A black box is the name used for a flight data recorder which is located in the aircraft.  It is a recording system designed to record actions, movements and other details of the performance of an aircraft as it flies.  The information recorded by the black box can be very useful if determining what happened in the accident and who can be held responsible.   A cockpit voice recorder is another vital piece of evidence used by crash investigators to find out what was being said in the cockpit in the moments leading up to an accident.  

A black box is not actually black but is a bright orange color.  Black boxes are designed to undergo countless testing in extreme conditions such as exposure to fire and submersion in water to make sure they can withstand the conditions of a crash and the aftermath.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an aviation accident you may have questions about what to do next such as:

• How to get to the site of an aviation crash

• How to find out the cause of the accident

• How to find out if a lawsuit for damages can be filed against whoever is responsible

At Bailey & Oliver we handle all types of aviation cases including airplane and aircraft accident investigation and litigation. We can assist you in determining aviation liability and pursue aviation cases on behalf of passengers and crew members involved with commercial aviation litigation, private airplanes, corporate jets and helicopters. 

We can assist you every step of the way from who to call to get information immediately following an aviation accident to representation in your aviation lawsuit.  We have access to aviation experts who will investigate how the accident happened and how it could have been prevented.  We handle aviation cases on a contingent fee basis which means you don’t have to spend money out of pocket for your case and our law firm only gets paid if you win.

If you have questions about an aviation accident please contact us free of charge at (479) 202-5200.