Nagpur MRO fits nitrogen generation system on a Boeing 737-800 for the first time
The Air India Engineering Services facility in Nagpur has completed the modification on an Air India Express aircraft, aimed at making fuel tanks safer from fire.
Technical changes are being made to make aircraft fuel tanks safer against fire, so that fuel is less likely to ignite quickly in an accident or fire. As part of this, the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility of Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) has completed an important job.
The AIESL MRO successfully completed, for the first time, the modification of a nitrogen generation system on an Air India Express Boeing 737-800, registered VT-AXM. The aircraft had come from Kannur. After the modification, it took off for Kannur at 7 pm.
The empty space above the fuel in a tank holds flammable vapour and oxygen, which can add to the danger in case of fire. The nitrogen generation system is meant to keep the oxygen level in the tank under control, which helps reduce the chance of a fire starting or spreading.
The first successful modification of this system on a Boeing 737-800 is a major achievement for AIESL's engineering and MRO operations. It is expected to strengthen the company's capability in aircraft modification and maintenance.
According to aviation experts, this technical improvement in fuel tank safety is in line with international civil aviation standards. When the nitrogen generation system (NGS) is working, inert gas pressure is maintained inside the fuel tank. This makes the risk of fire spreading after sudden friction or in an emergency almost negligible.
Because AIESL has implemented this modern technology successfully, the level of passenger safety in the domestic aviation industry will rise further.
The success of this complex engineering job at AIESL's MRO facility in Nagpur shows that the centre is now fully capable of carrying out technical modifications on large Boeing aircraft.
The achievement opens the way for more aircraft of Air India Express and other major airlines to be brought to Nagpur for such safety upgrades. This will help Nagpur emerge more strongly as a major aviation maintenance and overhaul hub in central India.
