Abstract: A data recording apparatus, data recording system and an orientation determination method thereof is disclosed. The data recording apparatus may include a housing, a wireless communication interface, one or more memories that store executable code; and one or more processors configured to execute the executable code, which causes the one or more processors to: control the communication interface to obtain data from Flight Data Acquisition Unit (FDAU) and store the obtained data in the one or more memories. The obtained data may include one or more of flight data, cockpit data (e.g., cockpit voice data), or cabin data (e.g., cabin voice data). The data recording apparatus may include a detachable attachment means for allowing the data recording apparatus to separate from the airplane in the event of a crash via a passive detachment means.