Banner plane in marsh near Bidwell's Creek on July 4. Mishap occurred about 1:55 p.m. Photo by Harry B. Scheeler Jr.

REEDS BEACH -- A banner plane went down in the marshes and flipped over onto its roof near North Beach Road near Bidwell’s Creek, on Delaware Bay, July 4 at 1:55 p.m. The pilot, James G. Regan, 35, of Santa Barbara, Calif., was taken by N.J. State Police Marine Unit to Smokey's Marina here, where he was treated by Middle Township EMS crew, and was not transported to the hospital, according to an eyewitness.

Police and firefighters were dispatched to the scene, and the FAA in Philadelphia was notified.

According to Sgt. Stephen Jones, troopers on a N.J. State Police Marine Services vessel, stationed at Bivalve, witnessed the plane go down in the marsh area, and responded to the scene to rescue the pilot.

The pilot told police his oil pressure dipped, the engine stopped, and propeller quit.

The aircraft was flown from Paramount Air Service field in Green Creek.