Probe of Singapore Air jetliner fire focuses on oil cooler

Investigators have tentatively determined that problems with an oil-cooling system apparently led to the fire that engulfed the wing of a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 jet on the ground last week, according to an industry official familiar with the details. Accident experts delving into the incident, which substantially damaged the jetliner at Singapore’s Changi Airport but didn’t result in any injuries, are focused on what they believe was a fuel leak in part of the cooling system. Called a fuel-oil heat exchanger, it serves the dual purpose of cooling hot engine oil and transferring heat to raise the temperature of fuel flowing to the engines. The carrier and Boeing have declined to comment on the status of the investigation. The engines were manufactured by General Electric Co., but at this point neither the company nor Singapore authorities believe there is a systemic problem, according to the industry official.<br/>