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Picture Courtesy:  HINDUSTAN TIMES

Context:

Role of the black box in uncovering the cause behind the tragic Air India AI171 plane crash in Ahmedabad.

What is a "Black Box"?

Contrary to its name, the "black box" is not black but is painted a bright, fluorescent orange to aid in its recovery from destruction.

The term is a colloquialism for two separate, highly durable recording devices mandated on commercial aircraft by international regulations. These are:

• Flight Data Recorder (FDR) => This device records a vast array of flight parameters. Modern FDRs can capture thousands of data points, including airspeed, altitude, heading, engine performance, and the position of flight controls like flaps and rudders. This data allows investigators to create a detailed, second-by-second reconstruction of the aircraft's flight path and operational status.
• Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): The CVR records the audio environment of the cockpit. This includes conversations between the pilots, radio communications with air traffic control, and ambient sounds like engine noise, alarms, or any unusual noises that can provide vital clues about the conditions on the flight deck.

Built to Survive

These recorders are housed in a Crash Survivable Memory Unit (CSMU), made of stainless steel or titanium, and are engineered to withstand extreme conditions, including immense impact forces (up to 3,400 times the force of gravity), high temperatures (over 1,000°C), and deep-sea pressure.

They are located in the tail section of the aircraft, which often has a higher chance of surviving a crash.

For accidents over water, they are equipped with an Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB) or "pinger" that emits a signal for at least 30 days.

Source: 

HINDUSTAN TIMES