There is an implied requirement for FOQA/FDR for many countries across the Western world. Each carrier owns their own data, not the manufacturer. It may be possible to allow one carrier's data to be used in a cross-carrier analysis, as implied by PJ2.
Failure to have a FOQA programme may consitute unreasonable behaviour as it is "reasonably practicable" to fit this equipment to modern jet transport aircraft.
However, I see many bad cases of FDR/QAR analyses by accident investigators out there. I see many cases where the FDR data has not been used to identify the real issues.
Whilst data are very useful, one should never forget the basics in aviation. We could save so many more lives if the airports, ATC, AIS and met service providers and their regulators did their jobs properly as well.
Still, as carrying an FDR for analysis on a flight as hand baggage is regarded as a major security risk by some governments as it is too big to fit in the standard bag gauge, I am sure that we will lose a few more in transit. I have only lost one so far with the current restrictions...
Perhaps the Heathrow baggage system might manage to crush a few more in the name of security?