Travel Ask the Captain: Why is the ‘black box’ put back in water following a plane crash at sea? January 2, 2020January 3, 2020 John Cox, Special to USA TODAY Comments Off on Ask the Captain: Why is the ‘black box’ put back in water following a plane crash at sea? This week, Capt. John Cox answers your questions about recovering data from the "black box" and why planes turn at very low altitudes.