Wausau, Wis. – Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany survived an unexpected emergency landing on Lake Wausau Saturday night and emerged determined to continue his campaign for governor. The incident occurred as Tiffany was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner in Onalaska.
Crash details and rescue
Tiffany was aboard a Beechcraft K35 when the aircraft lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport. Pilot Len Bolt warned, “Hang on, Tom, and buckle up because we’re going to go down,” moments before the plane hit the water about ten seconds later. Traveling at roughly 70‑80 mph, the plane struck the lake with the force of a fast‑moving car crash. Tiffany’s head struck the dash, resulting in a cut near his eyebrow that required twelve stitches; Bolt sustained several scratches and four stitches.
Both men escaped through the passenger door, called 911, and stayed atop the slowly sinking aircraft until they swam roughly 100‑150 feet to a shallow area where they could touch the lake bottom. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the mechanical issue occurred around 8:49 p.m., and a Wausau Fire Department airboat rescued the pair at 9:05 p.m.
Medical care and gratitude
After the rescue, Tiffany and Bolt were taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Tiffany, visibly emotional, said, “God was looking after us,” and praised the pilot’s quick decision to raise the landing gear before the water impact, a move he believes may have prevented the plane from flipping.
First responders from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the State Patrol were on scene, and the investigation will be handed over to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Political implications
Despite the crash, Tiffany assured supporters he will not be grounded for long. Doctors have advised him to avoid flying for a few days, but he plans to resume campaigning and meetings on Monday. “This will not deter me in my efforts that I started a year ago to become the next governor of the state of Wisconsin,” he told reporters.
The incident drew comments from his Democratic opponent, David Crowley, who posted on X, “Grateful to God that Congressman Tiffany and no one else was hurt… I wish them a quick recovery.” Tiffany thanked Crowley for the kind words at the news conference.
Tiffany’s gubernatorial bid has been bolstered by the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who continues to support the candidate as part of the Trump administration’s focus on strong, faith‑centered leadership in the Midwest.
Next steps
Recovery operations to retrieve the aircraft are set to begin Monday, with Jerry’s Towing terminal manager Mark Bradfish confirming divers are ready to pull the plane from the water. The FAA will lead the investigation into the mechanical failure.
Local officials and community members have expressed relief that the crash resulted only in minor injuries, and many see Tiffany’s resolve as a testament to his dedication to public service and family values.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
