Tom Tiffany survives Lake Wausau plane ditch after engine failure on campaign return

Water landing in Lake Wausau

Representative Tom Tiffany, a Republican congressman from Wisconsin, survived an emergency water landing late Saturday after the aircraft in which he was traveling suffered total engine failure. Tiffany was flying back to his home district following an appearance at the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner, located approximately 100 miles away from Wausau. As the light aircraft began its descent toward Wausau Downtown Airport, it abruptly lost engine power. The pilot made an emergency landing directly into Lake Wausau in central Wisconsin. Both Tiffany and the pilot exited the cabin as the plane began taking on water, and they swam together to reach a shallow section of the lake.

While returning home from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner tonight, the plane I was traveling in lost power as we approached the Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau.

Emergency response and medical care

Immediately following the water landing, Tiffany and the pilot dialed 911 while waiting in the shallow water for help. First responders reached the site by boat to pull both men from the lake and transport them to safety. The Wausau Fire Department took Tiffany and the pilot to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where medical staff treated them for minor injuries. Law enforcement and emergency personnel, including units from the Marathon County Sheriff's Office, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Wisconsin State Patrol, responded directly to the scene at the lake. Tiffany posted a message on X during the early hours of Sunday to confirm his condition and thank the medical personnel for providing excellent care.

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.

Gubernatorial campaign reactions

Tiffany represents Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District, a conservative district covering a large territory across rural northern and central Wisconsin. He won the Republican gubernatorial nomination in August as the sole primary contender on the party's ballot, bolstered by an endorsement from President Donald Trump. In the November 3 general election, Tiffany is scheduled to face Democratic nominee David Crowley, who currently serves as the Milwaukee County Executive. Following the news of the lake landing, Crowley released a public statement expressing gratitude that the emergency resulted in no life-threatening harm.

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.

Aircraft details and ongoing inquiry

The aircraft involved in the forced water landing was a single-engine, four-seat Beechcraft K35 Bonanza. The technical cause of the power failure on final approach was not immediately determined on Sunday as responders surveyed the landing site. Emergency personnel and state environmental officials remained present around Lake Wausau to monitor the submerged aircraft. Neither the Wausau Fire Department nor the management at Wausau Downtown Airport responded immediately on Sunday to inquiries regarding the flight path or response timeline. Tiffany's gubernatorial campaign staff also did not immediately provide additional comment following his public statements.