What is the minimum period for preserving flight data after a mandatory reporting incident?

The minimum period for preserving flight data after a mandatory reporting incident is set to ensure that critical information is retained for safety assessments and potential investigations. When an incident occurs that requires mandatory reporting, it is crucial to review and analyze flight data to identify causative factors or contributing elements.

In this context, maintaining flight data for at least 60 days allows for a reasonable timeframe within which investigators and relevant authorities can access and examine the information. This period strikes a balance between the need to retain important data and the practicalities of data management, ensuring that records are available during the crucial phases of investigation.

Other options, like 30 days or shorter durations, might not provide sufficient time to complete an adequate investigation, while longer periods like 1 year may be unnecessary for the immediate follow-up needed after a mandatory reporting incident. Therefore, 60 days is the appropriate minimum period as established by regulatory standards in aviation.