Investigators lack tools to decode Flight 358’s black boxes

Canada’s Transportation Safety Board investigators examining the recent Air France Flight 358 crash at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport are not able to analyze the black box flight recorders because the appropriate tools to decode it are not available. Instead, the Board is sending both the flight data and cockpit voice recorder to France for inspection.Lead investigator for the Transportation Safety Board Ral Levasseur says the Airbus A-340’s flight were an older model that require specific and costly technology to decode. Sending the voice recorders to France where the boards French equivalent, Le Bureau d’enqute et d’analyse des accidents, will use its equipment for decoding will put a hold on reported investigation outcomes.The wreckage will remain in context until analysis of the data and voice recorders are finalized and received by Toronto Transportation Safety Board. However, the brake and steering components will be removed for further inspection.The flight recorders are intended to aid in understanding information including where the plane touched down on the runway and whether there were problems with brakes. In addition, investigators have also interviewed the co-pilot and intend to investigate the captain when his health improves.The investigation team will also include Air France representatives who will provide additional information such as crew logs and a recount of the plane’s previous activity.