[devstar]

Great question. If we look at 14 CFR § 91.609 (Flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders.) I believe we will see that there is no requirement by the DOT/FAA for recorders to stream/upload data anywhere. Also, paragraph i subsection 2 only requires recorders to retain a minimum of 2 hours of recorded information.

Additionally, if we look at paragraph g we will see this: "In the event of an accident or occurrence requiring immediate notification to the National Transportation Safety Board...that results in the termination of the flight, any operator who has installed approved flight recorders and approved cockpit voice recorders shall keep the recorded information for at least 60 days". So it seems that since the flight was not terminated that a backup of the recorder data was not required to be made.