If you enjoy digging into Fallout 76’s hidden lore, the Blackbox recordings tied to the EV-21 are easily some of the most interesting bits you can chase down. They’re scattered around Appalachia like little mystery crumbs, and piecing them together feels almost like solving your own mini detective case. Below you’ll find the locations, the story threads behind the recordings, and a few tips I picked up while tracking them down.
What the EV-21 Recordings Are All About
The Blackbox recordings are audio logs connected to the experimental EV-21 transport craft. The story behind this thing is classic Fallout: a supposedly routine test flight that turns into a whole conspiracy-flavored mess involving malfunctioning tech, classified research, and a crew who slowly realizes they’re stuck in something way over their heads.
These logs don’t just drop lore. They also help you understand the shift in Appalachia right before everything went sideways. While wandering around to find them, I kept thinking about all the tiny world-building clues Bethesda hides across the map. If you like collecting Fallout 76 items, this whole side hunt kind of scratches the same itch: discovering things that don’t look important until you connect the dots.
EV-21 Recording Location 1: Abandoned Bunk and Crash Traces
The first recording is tucked into a half-collapsed bunker not far from the banks of the Ohio River. Most players walk past this place a dozen times without noticing anything special, but once you know what you’re looking for, the crash marks and scattered metal fragments practically glow with meaning.
The log here sets the tone: a nervous crew talking about unstable readings during their flight. It doesn’t answer much, but it tells you this wasn’t a simple accident. There’s also a small stash nearby, so bring some space in your inventory. And if you’re like me and hoard everything that looks remotely useful, grab only what matters; you’ll be hitting a lot of spots during this hunt.
EV-21 Recording Location 2: The Research Outpost in the Mire
The second recording sits inside a ruined research station in the Mire. This one was actually my favorite to track down because the whole area feels eerie even without knowing the EV-21 story. The tape itself is partially corrupted, but you can still hear the tension between the pilot and the onboard analyst. They’re arguing about whether their readings are a glitch or a sign of something bigger.
This is also the point where I realized how well the logs build on each other. Alone, each one feels like a random scrap of audio. Together, they’re basically a breadcrumb trail of a crew trying to stay calm while everything falls apart.
By the way, players on PS5 who enjoy collecting gear might remember this area from other farming runs. I’ve seen people mention places like this while talking about where to Buy Fallout 76 items PS5, but honestly, the outpost itself is mostly for the lore chase. Still, it’s a cool stop if you’re already exploring the Mire.
EV-21 Recording Location 3: The High-Altitude Relay Tower
For the third log, head into the mountains where one of the old relay towers stands half-functional. Climbing up can be a bit annoying if enemies show up at the wrong time, but it’s worth it. This recording is where the crew realizes the EV-21 is no longer responding to manual control. The background noise alone gives you chills: static cracks, metal groaning, and the faint whir of systems failing one by one.
Something I appreciate about these logs is how they make the world feel lived-in. We’re so used to seeing wreckage everywhere that we forget each ruined object used to belong to someone with a story. That’s why hunts like this stick with me more than some quests.
EV-21 Recording Location 4: The Crash Epicenter
This is the big one. You’ll know you’re close when you start finding shattered plating and strange scorch marks across the ground. The final recording sits inside what’s left of the cockpit, half-buried and easy to miss under debris. This log is the crew’s last moments, and it hits harder than I expected. They know the crash is coming, they can’t pull up, and they’re still trying to stay focused.
It ties the whole story together without spelling everything out. That’s the great thing about Fallout: it trusts players to connect the dots. If you’ve been listening carefully, you’ll realize the EV-21 crash wasn’t just a malfunction; something unknown tampered with their systems long before they went down.
While searching here, I found myself thinking about how many players I’ve seen share locations on community sites like U4GM or similar places that gather tips and trade info. Even if you don’t buy or trade through them, digging through the community chatter can be really helpful when hunting down side-lore like this.
Extra Tips for Tracking Down the Recordings
These aren’t complicated tasks, but a few small reminders can make the hunt smoother.
Bring light gear and spare space You’ll pick up junk, ammo, and maybe a couple rare drops along the way. No need to overload yourself before you even start.
Fast travel smartly The recordings are spread across a pretty wide region. If you chain your fast-travel points effectively, you can knock them out quickly.
Listen to each tape immediately It’s easier to keep the narrative in order. Plus, hearing the crew panic a little more each time adds to the atmosphere.
Come back later for loot runs If you like farming, note the locations while you’re already here. Some of these spots have decent scrap or enemy spawns on rotation.
Why the EV-21 Logs Are Worth the Time
Even though this isn’t a formal quest with step-by-step markers, chasing down the Blackbox recordings feels like a treasure hunt made for players who enjoy the world as much as the combat. Appalachia is full of abandoned tech and forgotten people, but the EV-21 logs stand out because you get to hear the story unfold in the crew’s own words.
For me, these audio hunts break up the usual grind loop and remind me why I love exploring this game. Not everything has to reward you with a flashy item or a big XP payout. Sometimes the atmosphere itself is the reward. And honestly, it’s nice to take a break from chasing gear and just wander with a purpose that isn’t tied to numbers or stats.
If you enjoy exploring or you’re the kind of player who listens to every terminal entry, definitely take the time to track down all four recordings. They’re a small chapter in the massive Fallout 76 world, but one that adds a surprising amount of flavor and mystery.