Once again only Lawyers and the NTSB will reap the rewards
The issue of cockpit cams has been kicked around for some time now, with the NTSB generally leading the charge. Those who claim the AF447 accident is a prime example for the need of video feed from the flight deck truly don't understand the liabilities involved with such a requirement, or do they understand the parameters currently being recorded by modern Fight Data Recorders. In the case of AF447 accident the FO's control yoke input as well as all available flight conditions were obtainable from existing recording devices. Having a video recording of the F/O pulling back on the yoke would have been completely redundant. Once again the only real beneficiaries would be the NTSB and Lawyers.
Oddly enough even the FAA would ultimately be against the addition of video in the cockpit due to the original dual mandate of the organization itself. To promote the advancement of aviation is code for we'll back the airline every chance we get. And of course the mention of safety follows secondarily in statement and in practice. Having their policies acted out on camera can't actually help their position with either the NTSB or aviation lawyers. The same mentality reigns at Airlines. Fact is no real good come from such a move, especially these post 9-11 days of heightened security.
It's no real secret that the NTSB has a great deal of heartburn with almost everything the FAA does or doesn't do. This will be a issue for the foreseeable future, the cockpit cam will be yet another weapon wielded by the NTSB at the FAA.
I'm in full agreement that there are many other places on the aircraft where cameras would be of great benefit. The first to come to mind include cargo bins, inaccessible equipment bays such as air conditioning packs, landing gear wells and engine nacelles. Just the inclusion of cameras at the wing tips could possibly prevent many many ground operation incidents. All items listed would be of far more benefit to the flight crews than the speculated addition of a crew cam.