Some have suggested that it stems from Hussenot's device, because it used film and "ran continuously in a light-tight box, hence the name 'black box,'" according to Airbus, which noted that orange was the box's chosen color from the beginning to make it easy to find.

The black box was discovered eight feet underground at the crash site after a two-day search and is in “decent shape,” according to reports.

The NTSB said a preliminary report, to be released within a month, will contain "factual information" gathered in the investigation.