Teen pilot makes emergency landing on Ocean City, New Jersey bridge

OCEAN CITY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- An investigation is underway after a banner plane made an emergency landing on a bridge in Ocean City, New Jersey Monday afternoon.

The incident was first reported at about 12:38 p.m. on the 9th Street Bridge, which connects Ocean City and Somers Point in Cape May County.

Landon Lucas, an 18-year-old flying for Paramount Air Service, reported that his plane began to experience engine trouble as he was flying near Steel Pier in Atlantic City, officials said. He released his banner into the ocean and was attempting to reach Ocean City Municipal Airport when he spotted a gap in traffic in the westbound lanes of the causeway.

Lucas landed the plane with no damage to the aircraft, and no injury to himself or any drivers, officials said.

Drivers and bystanders took pictures at the unusual sight.

"I was riding back to my house all of a sudden I see a plane going lower and lower and I could hear it," said witness Daniel Lepone. "I heard a loud boom and the propeller and it was really loud and I could see it just drift down slowly. It was pretty scary."

Investigators remained on the scene, and crews towed the plane away just after 4 p.m.

Both inbound lanes to Ocean City remained open to traffic, and a single outbound lane was open while authorities investigated the landing.