3x Boeing 737-300 Mexico
In the summer of 2011, AELS disassembled and dismantled three Boeing 737-300s located in Mexico City. The project was executed in cooperation with Spectrum Aerospace (components) and JT Power (engines).
This project was covered through Twitter and Facebook, and an overview of those updates can be found here.
Left: work started on August 4
Right: to remove components from the top of the fuselage and tail section we have a "cherry picker". Also a great tool to make pictures from a high position.
Left: the crew and their first shipment
Right: what do you do when you don't have a forklift? (est. weight 400-500 kg)
Left: missing a nose but still smiling
Middle: as with many other projects we find bird's nests in the aircraft
Right: sometimes work is being done in very small places!
Left: dismantling of the engines
Right: 65 (without 9 already shipped) boxes of aircraft records in the hotel room of the project manager. This way he doesn't feel alone and he has something to read.
The landing gear bay contains a lot of pumps, valves, actuators, switches and other units for the hydraulic system. Pictures from before and after disassembly.
After defueling all fuel tanks are opened for venting. This will remove all remaining fuel to make cutting of the airframe a safe operation. If not, there might be some fuel vapor in the tanks. If you start cutting without venting, what do you think would happen?
Engine stand and engine removal
The removed engine
Left: all six engines loaded an on their way to the customer
Right: shipment of components
Left: a picture is from the landing gear removal. Airplanes are jacked, landing gear is removed, after which the aircraft is lowered on pallets after which the dismantling process can start.
Right: landing gears ready for transport
Tail and wing removal. They don't look like aircraft anymore.
After the fuselages were transported to their final resting place, the project is finished. Thanks to everyone who was part of this succes!
