Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany suffers minor injuries when his plane makes an emergency landing in a lake

Tom Tiffany Treated for Minor Injuries After Plane Lands on Lake Wausau

Healfromzero.com – Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany and a pilot escaped from a small aircraft after it lost power and made an emergency landing on Lake Wausau on Saturday night, leaving the congressman with minor injuries.

Tiffany, a Republican candidate for governor of Wisconsin, said the incident occurred as he was traveling home after attending the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner in Onalaska. The aircraft was nearing Wausau Downtown Airport in central Wisconsin when it experienced a loss of power.

Rather than reaching the airport, the pilot brought the plane down on Lake Wausau. Tiffany said he and the pilot called 911 after the water landing. As the aircraft began sinking, both men got out and swam toward a shallow section of the lake, where they waited for rescuers.

“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,” Tiffany said in a post on X.

Emergency crews removed the two occupants from the water and took them to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Tiffany said he and the pilot received medical care there, and he described his injuries as minor.

“They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care.”

Both Occupants Rescued Conscious

Dispatch recordings from the response captured officials discussing a 911 call from someone inside the aircraft. Later radio traffic indicated that the two people aboard had been rescued and were being transported back to shore by boat.

“Boat heads back to landing with two victims,” an official at the scene told dispatchers. “Both are alert and conscious.”

The successful rescue avoided what could have become a far more serious emergency. Water landings can create immediate hazards for aircraft occupants, particularly when a plane begins taking on water. In this case, Tiffany said the pilot and passenger were able to leave the plane before it submerged and reach an area shallow enough to await assistance.

Authorities planned to mark the aircraft’s location with a buoy and asked members of the public to stay away from the site. Keeping distance from the wreckage helps protect responders, preserves the area for investigators and reduces risks for boaters or others using the lake.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin State Patrol responded alongside local emergency personnel. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to take over the investigation into the emergency landing.

Investigation Will Focus on Power Loss

The inquiry will examine the loss of power that Tiffany said occurred during the approach to Wausau Downtown Airport. Federal aviation investigations commonly review the aircraft, maintenance history, weather conditions, flight path and communications, as well as statements from those involved. No additional details about the cause of the power loss were immediately available.

Investigators will also document the plane’s condition and recovery from Lake Wausau. Because the aircraft entered the water, officials will need to manage both the aviation investigation and the safety considerations surrounding the submerged wreckage.

Tiffany said the experience underscored the importance of the quick actions taken by the pilot and emergency crews. His statement also reflected the shock of surviving a sudden aviation emergency.

“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,” Tiffany said.

Political Opponent Offers Support

Tiffany is a member of the House Freedom Caucus and recently secured the Republican nomination in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary, with support from President Donald Trump. The emergency came as his campaign for governor continues.

David Crowley, Tiffany’s Democratic opponent in the governor’s race, offered support in a public message after learning of the incident. Crowley said he was thankful that Tiffany and others were not seriously hurt and credited the pilot’s actions.

“I’m 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.”

“I wish them and the Congressman a quick recovery and that they can find solace with their loved ones,” Crowley added.

The episode brought a brief but alarming interruption to a campaign season in Wisconsin. For Tiffany, the immediate focus is recovery after an emergency that ended with both people aboard reaching shore conscious and receiving hospital treatment.

Further information about the aircraft, its flight and the circumstances leading to the lake landing is expected to emerge as the federal investigation proceeds.