What happened
The flight began with normal operations until approximately thirty minutes into the journey when the pilot observed that the oil pressure had dropped to zero. Recognizing the severity of the mechanical issue, the pilot immediately contacted Miami radio to report the problem and informed air traffic control of the intention to return to the airport.
About five minutes after reporting the initial failure, with engine power significantly reduced, the engine ceased running entirely. The pilot then communicated with Miami radio again, stating the intent to perform an emergency landing on the water in close proximity to a large ship. The aircraft successfully touched down on the water surface near the vessel.
Following the water landing, the plane remained afloat for approximately thirty minutes before sinking completely. The pilot remained in the water for about fifteen minutes until being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. The airplane was not recovered from the water.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure that led to the emergency landing. The primary finding was the loss of oil pressure, which resulted in total engine failure. No further mechanical details were provided in the source text.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates a critical mechanical failure leading to an unavoidable water landing. The pilot's decision to land near a large ship likely facilitated the successful rescue. The aircraft was lost due to sinking after the emergency landing.