“It is imperative that the black boxes be found.” Really? Why? What difference will it make?
I read the accident report on Air France. I can’t see how finding the black box changed a single thing that airmanship could not have prevented or that excessive reliance or belief in the computer controls caused. Either you let the computer fly the airplane or you make a man do it. Half-way measures are almost certain disaster.
This disaster is a little different and I see even less compelling reason to collect the recorders. This airplane did not go rogue by itself. It had lots of help. Stuff happens.
I had a friend and his wife on the Air France flight.