As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.
What was found
MSP - FLT 434 - THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER FAILED TO TEST. THE UNIT WAS REMOVED AND SENT TO B/D INSTRUMENTS FOR REPAIR. THIS IS THE EIGHTEENTH PREMATURE FAILURE. AVERAGE TAPE LIFE IS 415 HOURS. THE TAPE REPLACEMENT IS DUE AT 1500 HOURS WITH A 5000 HOUR OVERHAUL. ALL UNITS WERE RECEIVED BACK WITH OVERHAUL PERFORMED. (M)