Wisconsin congressman and Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany is recovering from minor injuries following an emergency plane crash into Lake Wausau late Saturday night. The incident occurred as Tiffany was returning to the area after attending the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner in Onalaska.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft—identified as a Beechcraft K35—suffered a loss of power while approaching the Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot initiated an emergency water landing on the lake, after which both individuals placed a 911 call. As the plane began to submerge, Tiffany and the pilot successfully exited the cabin and swam toward a shallow section of the lake to await rescue.
The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office reported that the mechanical failure occurred at approximately 8:49 p.m. A Wausau Fire Department airboat reached the scene by 9:05 p.m., rescuing both occupants. Dispatch audio from the incident confirmed that responders found both victims alert and conscious as they were brought to shore for transport to Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Reflecting on the event in a statement posted to social media, Tiffany expressed his deep appreciation for those involved in the operation. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, and all of the first responders who came to our aid so quickly,” he stated. “They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care.”
Tiffany, a member of the House Freedom Caucus who secured his gubernatorial nomination with the backing of Donald Trump, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “God was watching over us tonight, and I am incredibly grateful to be here in the hospital with my wife, Chris, by my side. An experience like this reminds you just how precious life is,” he wrote.
The Democratic candidate running against Tiffany for the governorship, David Crowley, shared his reaction on social media. Crowley stated he was “grateful to God that Congressman Tiffany and no one else was hurt in this horrifying incident, which could have been a tragedy if not for the heroism of the pilot.” He added his well-wishes for the congressman’s recovery and noted his hope that both the pilot and Tiffany find comfort with their families.
Authorities have since marked the submerged aircraft with a buoy and have advised the public to avoid the area. The incident remains under active investigation, with oversight from the FAA, while the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and State Patrol have also provided assistance at the site. The report also notes that according to its latest news release on Sunday, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the plane experienced a mechanical issue around 8:49 p.m. while approaching the airport. The report also notes that authorities mention someone inside the plane made a 911 call, in dispatch audio obtained and verified by. The report also notes that later, an official responding to the crash confirms two people inside the plane had been rescued. The report also notes that alaa Elassar contributed to this report.
