Accident Details
On April 15, 2026, at about 1025 Atlantic standard time, an experimental Icon A5 amphibious airplane, registration N558BA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Levittown, Puerto Rico. The student pilot, who also owned the airplane, was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The pilot reported that he was nearing the destination airport, Fernando Luis Robas Diminicci Airport (TJIG) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and intended to land on an asphalt runway. About 5 miles from TJIG, at an altitude of 1,000 ft mean sea level, while approaching the Levittown water tank visual reporting point, the "Engine" and "Land Airplane" annunciator lights illuminated in the cockpit. The pilot checked the digital engine display and saw an "Oil PSI: 1" warning flashing. Additionally, the analog oil temperature gauge provided no indication.
The engine experienced a loss of oil pressure followed by a partial loss of power, which the pilot reported to the TJIG tower. The engine subsequently lost all power. Unable to glide to the airport, the pilot elected to conduct a forced landing to the bay. Due to rough water conditions, the landing was hard, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. After egress, the pilot observed oil spray on the empennage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the oil line between the oil pump housing and the oil cooler had separated from the oil cooler adapter at the barbed end of the B-nut assembly. The wreckage was retained for further examination.