The Flight Data Recorder(FDR) records many different operating conditions of the flight. Newly manufactured aircraft must monitor at least 28 important parameters: time, altitude, airspeed, heading, and aircraft attitude. Some FDRs can record the status of more than 300 other in-flight characteristics — anything from flap position to auto-pilot mode or even to smoke alarms. With information from the FDR, a computer animated video reconstruction of the flight can be generated, enabling the investigating team to visualize the last moments before the accident.
