Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI), who is the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, was injured late Saturday when a small plane he was traveling in made an emergency water landing.
“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. After landing, we called 911. 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 explained.
“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. They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care. Thankfully, both the pilot and I sustained only minor injuries,” he continued.
“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 added.
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.
After landing, we called 911. As the plane began to…
— Tom Tiffany (@TomTiffanyWI) September 13, 2026
NBC News shared further:
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that it would investigate the crash of a Beechcraft K35 with two people aboard.
ADVERTISEMENTTiffany represents Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District and is endorsed by President Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election.
His Democratic opponent, David Crowley, said in a post on X: “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,” he added.
“Thank you to everyone across Wisconsin and around the country who has reached out with prayers and kind words. It has meant so much to me and my family. I was released from the hospital last night after receiving stitches above my right eye, and the pilot was also released. We thank God that neither of us suffered more serious injuries after the plane we were traveling in lost power,” Tiffany said in a separate post.
“I’m especially grateful to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, law enforcement, first responders, and the team at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their incredible care and quick response. I will be addressing the media later today in Wausau. Thank you again for keeping us in your prayers,” he added.
Thank you to everyone across Wisconsin and around the country who has reached out with prayers and kind words. It has meant so much to me and my family.
I was released from the hospital last night after receiving stitches above my right eye, and the pilot was also released. We…
— Tom Tiffany (@TomTiffanyWI) September 13, 2026
More from the Associated Press:
The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the emergency landing happened just before 9 p.m. Saturday. Tiffany and the pilot, Leonard Boltz, got out of the plane and called 911. They were rescued by emergency responders in a fire department airboat just after 9 p.m.
Both men were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and released. Tiffany suffered a cut above his right eye that required stitches, his campaign said in an emailed statement.
A no-wake buoy was placed near the plane, which remained in the lake, and boaters were being asked to avoid the area until the plane can be removed, the sheriff’s office said.
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