Cockpit Voice Recorder and
Flight Data Recorder Regulations
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
06/30/2025
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
05/31/2027
27,229
30,075
769,913
810,300
0
0
This collection encompasses mandatory
requirements to collect and retain (recordkeeping requirement), and
to report (reporting requirement), flight data and cockpit voice
data using a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder
(CVR). Respondents to the collection include operators of aircraft
for which the operating requirements of parts 91, 121, 125, 129, or
135 require the aircraft to have and use a CVR or FDR. Respondents
to this collection must keep FDR and CVR data for specified
timeframes. The FDR and CVR continuously record data during
aircraft operation, which is stored and continuously overwritten by
new data, while retaining the last 2 hours (CVR) (if the aircraft
was manufactured prior to the effective dates in the new rule), 25
hours (CVR) (if the aircraft was manufactured after the effective
dates in the new rule), or 25 hours (FDR) of recorded data.
Respondents to this collection must report/provide the collected
data to the NTSB on an as-needed basis (i.e., after an aircraft has
been involved in a reportable accident or incident), or the FAA
and/or NTSB may request that the data is stored (off aircraft)
until the investigation can be conducted. Use: The collection of
information includes both reporting and recordkeeping of
information. The data collected by an FDR or CVR is received and
used by the NTSB for accident and incident investigation. Following
an accident, the FDR and CVR are immediately removed from the
accident site and transported to NTSB headquarters in Washington,
D.C. for processing. Using sophisticated computer and audio
equipment, the information stored on the recorders is extracted and
translated into an understandable format. Depending on the severity
of an aircraft incident, the NTSB may request the FDR and/or CVR
data for an aircraft directly from the aircraft owner or operator.
Respondents: Respondents to the collection include operators of
aircraft for which the operating requirements of parts 91, 121,
125, 129, or 135 require the aircraft to have and use a CVR and/or
FDR. The FAA estimates that 23,273 aircraft must have and use a CVR
and/or FDR; 4,744 of those aircraft will be required to collect 25
hours of CVR data as a result of this final rule. Frequency: For
each aircraft required to have an CVR and/or FDR, the FDR and CVR
continuously record data, which is stored and continuously
overwritten by new data, while retaining the last 2 hours (CVR) (if
the aircraft was manufactured prior to the effective dates in this
final rule), 25 hours (CVR) (if the aircraft was manufactured after
the effective dates in this final rule), or 25 hours (FDR) of
recorded data. Additionally, on an as-needed basis, operators of
aircraft must report CVR and/or FDR data to the NTSB (i.e., after
an aircraft has been involved in a reportable accident or
incident).
The FAA initiated a rulemaking
that would increase the recording time of cockpit voice recorders
(CVRs) from the mandated 2 hours to a proposed 25-hour recording
time for all future manufactured aircraft that are required to have
a CVR installed. This rulemaking will provide accident
investigators, aircraft operators, and civil aviation authorities
with substantially more CVR data to help find the probable causes
of incidents and accidents and use the information to prevent
future incidents and accidents. An NPRM was published on December
4, 2023. Once the final rule is published (see Federal Register
Docket No. FAA-2023-2270), the 25-hour CVR data collection
requirement will apply to newly manufactured aircraft (that are
required to have a CVR installed) after May 16, 2025, for aircraft
with a MCTOW of 59,525 lbs./27,000 kg, 30 or more passenger seats,
or operating in Part 121. Newly manufactured aircraft operating in
Parts 91, 125, and 135 with a MCTOW of 59,524 lbs./26,999 kg and
less than 30 passenger seats have three years to comply with the
new rule. Additionally, the name of this IC is revised from
“Revisions to Cockpit Voice Recorder and Digital Flight Data
Recorder Regulations” to “Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data
Recorder Regulations”. Changes from previously reported burden are
due to: • Revised CVR data collection hours from 2 hours to 25
hours under rulemaking “25-Hour Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
Requirement, New Aircraft Production (refer to Federal Register
Docket No. FAA-2023-2270 for Final Rule) • Revised wage estimates
for reporting CVR and flight data recorder (FDR) data • Revised
fleet estimates to reflect the aircraft fleet that must collect 2
hours of CVR data versus 25 hours of CVR data. Revised fleet
estimates are lower than previously approved estimates resulting in
lower estimated burden. • Under the CVR rulemaking, 1,585 aircraft
in the fleet will be required to collect an additional 23 hours of
CVR data (in addition to the 2 hours that were already required).
However, the net result due to the adjustment of the fleet size
estimate results in a decreased information collection burden than
what was previously estimated and approved.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
SSA_2120-0700 Final Rule.docx
49 USC 44701.pdf
CVR/FDR Data Collection (25hrs/25hrs)