NTSB Successfully Recovers Audio from Crashed UPS Plane's Black Boxes

Published on January 08, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
NTSB forensic technicians working in specialized laboratory with ultrasound equipment to recover data from charred black boxes after plane crash

NTSB Successfully Recovers Audio from Black Boxes of Crashed UPS Aircraft

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has achieved a crucial milestone in the investigation of the UPS plane crash by fully extracting the cockpit audio from the severely damaged flight recorders. This achievement represents a fundamental breakthrough in unraveling the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, providing vital information about the flight's final moments 🎧.

Forensic Data Recovery Process

The NTSB's specialized teams implemented advanced forensic techniques to rescue the information from the charred black boxes, which suffered extreme damage from impact and fire exposure. The procedure required meticulous handling in controlled environments to prevent the irreversible loss of critical data.

Methodologies Applied in Recovery:
  • Use of ultrasonic cleaning equipment to remove residues without damaging internal components
  • Extraction and transfer of protected memory chips to specialized readers
  • Application of forensic preservation protocols to maintain the integrity of the recovered data
The internal protection systems of the recorders performed exceptionally well, preserving critical information despite the severe thermal damage suffered - NTSB Forensic Team

Analysis of Recovered Content and Implications

The recovered audio will allow investigators to reconstruct minute by minute the sequence of events prior to impact, including crew communications, aircraft system alerts, and significant ambient sounds. This exhaustive analysis is essential for identifying contributing factors to the accident, whether technical, human, or operational in origin.

Key Aspects of the Investigative Analysis:
  • Reconstruction of the exact chronology of events from takeoff to impact
  • Identification of possible failures in critical systems or operational procedures
  • Evaluation of the crew's response to emergency situations

Impact on Future Aviation Safety

The findings from this thorough investigation will serve as the basis for issuing safety recommendations that strengthen commercial aviation protocols globally. The NTSB actively coordinates with aircraft manufacturers and operators to implement evidence-based improvements, demonstrating once again that black boxes remain the most reliable witnesses in modern aviation, even when it takes effort to convince them to reveal their secrets 🔍.