What happened
On April 15, 2026, at approximately 10:25 Atlantic standard time, an experimental Icon A5 amphibious airplane, 558BA, was involved in an accident near Levittown, Puerto Rico. The aircraft was being operated by a student pilot on a cross-country flight under Part 91 regulations.
While approaching the Levittown water tank visual reporting point at 1,000 feet mean sea level, the pilot observed the "Engine" and "Land Airplane" annunciator lights illuminate. A check of the digital engine display showed a flashing "Oil PSI: 1" warning, and the analog oil temperature gauge failed to provide an indication.
The engine suffered a loss of oil pressure and a partial loss of power before experiencing a total loss of power. After notifying the tower at Fernando Luis Robas Diminicci Airport (TJIG), the pilot determined that a glide to the runway was not possible and executed a forced landing into the bay. The landing was hard due to rough water conditions, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
An examination of the engine by the FAA determined that the oil line, which runs from the oil pump housing to the oil cooler, had separated from the oil cooler adapter at the barbed end of the B-nut assembly. Following the landing, the pilot noted oil spray on the empennage.