Originally Posted by
thcrozier
NSEU:
All of the data from all of the sources you mention must be consolidated around hubs or maybe a central processor. I'm suggesting the recorders might be better located as physically close to those locations as possible.
I assume, but don't know, that the recorders are located at the ends of long cables back in the tail because back in the days when they were mechanical, it was assumed that location would suffer the least damage in a crash.
Now that they are solid state, the probability of damage to the memory is rapidly diminishing. The preservation problem is almost solved, so it might be time to focus on data input integrity.
There is a very simple solution, prevalent in all other aspects of aircraft design, called "redundancy". In other words have duplicate boxes at different locations on the aircraft; this would also significantly reduce the risk of bad data (several instances of n/s DFDRs for numerous flights before incident investigated), risk of damage (eg non-impact fire), and potential for recovery (2 pingers?)
BUT - media presents "Black boxes" as the solution to all incidents. In reality, a DFDR shows what happened
if the instruments providing that data were accurate, and the CVR might show why it happened
if there are relevant noises/alarms and communications between the crew other than WTF
It's the tin kickers who improve safety by finding out the normal multiple chain of unfortunate circumstances that lead to an accident. The DFDR and CVR are cryptic crossword clues that can point them in the right direction.
In the event of a catastrophic airframe breakup, the evidence is down to the metallurgists/pathologists etc. No amount of live or recorded data will ever really change that.