What is the purpose of reviewing the aircraft's flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data?

• A. To replace the need for witness statements.
• B. To reconstruct the flight path, aircraft performance, crew actions, and timing of events leading to the mishap.
• C. To determine maintenance conformity with service bulletins.
• D. To check the color scheme of cockpit displays.

Answer: (B)

FDR and CVR data give objective, time-synced records that let investigators reconstruct the flight sequence and what happened in the cockpit. The flight data recorder captures parameters such as altitude, airspeed, attitude, engine performance, and control surface positions, showing how the aircraft actually flew and performed. The cockpit voice recorder captures crew conversations and ambient cockpit sounds, revealing decisions, actions, checklists, and communication with ATC. Put together, these records establish the flight path, aircraft performance, crew actions, and the exact timing of events leading up to the mishap, which is essential for understanding what occurred and why.

They aren’t used to replace witness statements; they supplement them with objective data. They also aren’t meant for checking maintenance conformity with service bulletins, which relies on maintenance records and procedures, nor do they pertain to cosmetic aspects like cockpit display color schemes.