When an aircraft goes down, the black box becomes the most sought-after object. But contrary to its name, a black box is neither black nor a literal box -it's usually bright orange to enhance visibility during recovery operations.

The term refers to two separate devices: the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). Together, they store essential data - flight speed, altitude, engine performance, and the last two hours of cockpit conversation. Housed in a crash-resistant shell, these devices are built to survive extreme conditions: fire, high pressure, and deep-sea submersion.

Black boxes are fitted with underwater locator beacons that emit signals for up to 30 days, helping investigators locate them. Once retrieved, the data is analyzed to piece together the moments leading up to a crash.

Despite the mystery that shrouds them, black boxes have one clear purpose: to reveal the truth and prevent future tragedies. In every aviation disaster, they are the silent witnesses that speak volumes.