What is the function of the impact switch on the flight data recorder?

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The impact switch on the flight data recorder is designed to stop the recording after a significant impact, specifically one that exceeds 30 g. This feature ensures that the vital data captured during an incident is preserved and can be analyzed later. When an aircraft experiences a severe impact, the impact switch triggers an action to secure the stored data, preventing any overwriting that could occur if the recorder continued to function as it normally would. This capability is essential for post-accident investigations, as the data can provide critical information regarding the aircraft's conditions and the sequence of events leading to an incident.