Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany Survives Plane’s Emergency Lake Landing

An Unexpected Flight: Wisconsin Congressman and Pilot Survive Emergency Water Landing

In a remarkable escape from potential disaster, Wisconsin Representative Tom Tiffany and a pilot emerged mostly unscathed after their plane was forced to land in a lake. The incident occurred when Tiffany was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner in Onalaska.

The small single-engine aircraft, piloted by Leonard Boltz, encountered engine trouble as it neared the Wausau Downtown Airport. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Boltz executed an emergency landing on Lake Wausau.

“As the plane began to submerge, we exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area, where we waited until emergency responders reached us by boat,” Tiffany shared in a post on X.

Lt. Cory Gladden from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 911 call was made from one of the occupants while they were on top of the sinking plane. The pair waited approximately 20 minutes in the water before being rescued.

Both Tiffany and Boltz sustained minor injuries. Tiffany received stitches above his right eye and was released from the hospital, while Boltz was treated at the scene. The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Wisconsin Public Radio’s Hope Kirwan contributed to this report.