The National Transportation Safety Board has temporarily taken its public docket system offline following concerns that artificial intelligence technology was being used to reconstruct confidential cockpit voice recordings from a recent aircraft crash.

The NTSB's action came after digital images from the agency's records were reportedly used in conjunction with AI tools to recreate audio from cockpit voice recorders, which are typically kept private to encourage open communication among flight crews during investigations.

Cockpit voice recordings are considered sensitive materials in aviation investigations and are generally not released to the public. The recordings capture conversations between pilots and crew members during flights and are crucial evidence for investigators trying to determine the cause of accidents.

The incident highlights growing concerns about how advancing AI technology could potentially compromise privacy protections that have long been standard practice in aviation safety investigations. The NTSB has not indicated when the docket system will be restored or what additional security measures might be implemented.

Meanwhile, aviation safety advocates continue to push for enhanced technology requirements. Pilot groups have called on Congress to mandate full ADS-B In technology on all aircraft operating near busy U.S. airports, citing the need for improved collision avoidance systems to prevent midair accidents.