flight recorder

American  

noun

1. an electronic device aboard an aircraft that automatically records some aspects of the aircraft's performance in flight.

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flight recorder British  

noun

1. Also called: black box.  an electronic device fitted to an aircraft for storing information concerning its performance in flight. It is often used to determine the cause of a crash

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Etymology

Origin of flight recorder

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

As part of the investigation into the incident, the agency confirmed that it’s gathering radar, weather and flight recorder data.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2025

Investigators have recovered flight recorder data from the Air India crash earlier this month, the civil aviation ministry has confirmed, marking a key step in the probe.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

Investigators took the flight recorder into custody along with fuel samples and needed documentation, according to RIA Novosti.

From Washington Times • Oct. 18, 2022

Investigators will make an all-out effort to collect evidence, with a focus on finding the flight recorder, Tao said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 23, 2022

Here is the flight recorder transcript of the final thirty minutes of KAL flight 801: It begins with the captain complaining of exhaustion.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell