Pilot, 18, Lands Banner Plane on Bridge; No Injuries

Pilot, 18, Lands Banner Plane on Bridge; No Injuries
Landon Lucas stands next to his plane after he made an emergency landing on the Route 52 causeway connecting Ocean City and Somers Point, N.J., on July 19, 2021. (Matthew Strabuk/The Press of Atlantic City via AP)
The Associated Press
7/20/2021
Updated:
7/20/2021

OCEAN CITY, N.J.—The 18-year old pilot of a banner plane made an emergency landing Monday on a bridge in southern New Jersey, snarling traffic but causing no injuries, authorities said.

Landon Lucas reported that his plane started having engine trouble around 12:30 p.m. as he was flying near Steel Pier in Atlantic City, officials said. Lucas released his banner into the ocean and was trying to fly to a nearby municipal airport in Ocean City when he spotted a gap in traffic in the westbound lanes of the Route 52 causeway, which connects Ocean City and Somers Point.

Emergency responders talk with Landon Lucas after he made an emergency landing on the Route 52 causeway connecting Ocean City and Somers Point, N.J., on July 19, 2021. (Matthew Strabuk/The Press of Atlantic City via AP)
Emergency responders talk with Landon Lucas after he made an emergency landing on the Route 52 causeway connecting Ocean City and Somers Point, N.J., on July 19, 2021. (Matthew Strabuk/The Press of Atlantic City via AP)

Lucas landed the plane without incident, witnesses said, and officials said the aircraft was not damaged.

The incident remains under investigation, authorities said.