Skip to content

What colour is an aircraft's black box?

GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer

An aircraft's "black box" is not actually black; it is typically colored bright orange. These devices, officially known as flight data recorders (FDRs) and cockpit voice recorders (CVRs), are painted in distinctive international orange to make them highly visible and easier to locate in the event of a plane crash or accident.

The use of bright orange paint helps search and rescue teams and investigators quickly identify and recover these critical pieces of equipment, even if they are buried under debris or submerged in water. The color is chosen for its high visibility and contrast against various backgrounds, which aids in the recovery and retrieval process.

General · Class 12