Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany Injured After Plane Lands on Lake Wausau

Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany sustained minor injuries when his plane made an emergency landing on Lake Wausau.

By Anya Sharma •2 min read

Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany Injured After Plane Lands on Lake Wausau

Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany sustained minor injuries when the small plane he was traveling in experienced a mechanical issue and made an emergency landing on Lake Wausau. Both he and the pilot swam to shallow water before being rescued.

What happened during the Tom Tiffany plane crash?

The incident occurred on Saturday night as Tiffany, the state's Republican nominee for governor, returned from a dinner in La Crosse County. The Beechcraft K35 single-engine aircraft, also known as a Bonanza and capable of carrying up to five people, lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot executed an emergency landing on the lake. Authorities received the 911 call at 20:49 local time, which is 02:49 BST.

How were Tom Tiffany and the pilot rescued?

After the plane began to submerge, Tiffany and the pilot exited and swam to a shallow area, where they waited until emergency responders reached them by boat. A Wausau Fire Department airboat reached them approximately 15 minutes later at 21:05 local time. Both sustained minor injuries, and Tiffany received a small cut over his right eye. Tiffany and the pilot were the only two people on board.

What has Tom Tiffany said about the incident?

Tiffany posted on social media that he and the pilot called 911 after landing. He described waiting in shallow water until responders arrived by boat. He later expressed gratitude for surviving, saying "God was watching over us tonight, and I am incredibly grateful to be here in the hospital with my wife, Chris, by my side." He noted the experience highlighted how precious life is.

What investigations are underway?

The cause of the mechanical failure remains unclear. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. The plane remains in the lake while crews work to recover it.

Frequently asked questions

Was anyone else injured in the Tom Tiffany plane crash?

No. The congressman and the pilot were the only people on the aircraft and both sustained only minor injuries.

What type of plane was involved?

The aircraft was a Beechcraft K35, also known as a Bonanza, a single-engine model that can carry up to five people.

Where did the emergency landing occur?

The plane landed on Lake Wausau in Marathon County, Wisconsin.

Key takeaways

Tom Tiffany and the pilot swam to safety after the plane landed on Lake Wausau.
Emergency responders reached them by airboat within 15 minutes of the 911 call.
Both individuals sustained only minor injuries during the incident.
Federal agencies are investigating the cause of the mechanical failure.

By Anya Sharma

Anya Sharma brings a deep understanding of Politics and Culture to her analysis, exploring how global power dynamics intersect with societal norms and artistic expression. She is particularly adept at uncovering the subtle ways political decisions shape cultural landscapes and how cultural movements, in turn, influence political discourse across AF. Her work ranges from incisive daily analyses of unfolding international events to comprehensive explainers that unpack complex geopolitical shifts, and often extends to longer, investigative pieces that trace the historical and cultural roots of contemporary conflicts. Anya's approach to a story begins with meticulous research into both official policy documents and grassroots cultural narratives. She cross-references information from a wide array of sources, including academic journals, local media, and direct conversations with community leaders and cultural practitioners, ensuring that her reporting is both authoritative and nuanced. She is known for her rigorous fact-checking process, verifying every detail against multiple independent sources to ensure accuracy and impartiality. Readers who follow Anya's reporting gain a sophisticated understanding of the interconnectedness of global politics and cultural identity. Her insights offer clarity on why certain regions respond to political developments in specific ways, and how cultural values often underpin national interests, providing a richer, more holistic view of world events than is typically found in conventional geopolitical reporting.