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The Independent

Air India crash reignites decades-old debate

The recent fatal Air India crash has reignited a long-standing debate within the aviation industry regarding the proposed mandatory installation of cockpit video recorders. Advocates, including International Air Transport Association head Willie Walsh, argue that video footage would significantly assist accident investigations by providing crucial visual data, complementing existing voice and flight data recorders. A recent Australian Transport Safety Bureau report highlighted the invaluable role of cockpit video in determining pilot distraction in a 2023 helicopter crash, strengthening calls for wider adoption. Conversely, pilots' unions in the US, such as ALPA and APA, oppose the measure, citing concerns over privacy invasion, potential misuse of footage for disciplinary actions, and the risk of sensitive material being leaked to the public. While cockpit voice recordings are typically kept confidential, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations expresses strong scepticism that similar confidentiality could be maintained for video data, given the demand for sensational content.