Tom Tiffany Swims From Sinking Plane

Tom Tiffany with stitched cut above his right eye. Image from Tiffany campaign video.

Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany sustained minor injuries Saturday night when the small plane carrying him lost power and made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau.

Tiffany said he was returning from the La Crosse County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner when the aircraft lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport.

“The pilot made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau,” Tiffany said in a statement posted shortly after midnight.

Tiffany and the pilot called 911 after landing, he said, but the aircraft began to sink before emergency responders arrived.

“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 said.

The Wausau Fire Department rescued the two occupants and transported them to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Both Tiffany and the pilot sustained only minor injuries. The Tiffany campaign reported that the congressman “suffered a laceration above his right eye that required stitches and was released from the hospital last night.”

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

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said the private plane went down at approximately 9 p.m. Saturday. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin State Patrol also responded. The partially submerged aircraft was marked with a buoy, and officials asked boaters to keep their distance. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to investigate the incident.

The aircraft was identified as a four-seat Bonanza. The flight from La Crosse to Wausau covers approximately 110 miles. Tiffany did not say who owned the aircraft. The pilot was later identified as Leonard Boltz, 73, of Pearson, WI.

The congressman, 68, lives approximately an hour’s drive north of the city in Hazelhurst.

“God was watching over us tonight, and I am incredibly grateful to be here in the hospital with my wife, Chris, by my side,” Tiffany said. “An experience like this reminds you just how precious life is.”

Tiffany represents northern Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District and is the Republican nominee for governor. He will face Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the Democratic nominee, in the Nov. 3 election.

“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,” said Crowley in a statement.

The lake is part of the Wisconsin River and located adjacent to the airport.

In a Sunday afternoon press conference, Tiffany said he received 12 stiches above his right eye.

Boltz, as they were on their final approach, told Tiffany “we are going down” and then the plane hit the water within 10 seconds said the congressman. He said the two were on top of the plane for 10 minutes, then swam about 150 feet before finding a spot about five feet deep where their feet could touch the ground. They waited about five minutes, he estimated, for a pickup.

Tiffany said he had flown with Boltz before and credited his skills and calm demeanor in handling the situation.

“We are just really fortunate that God was looking after us,” said Tiffany.

This article was updated after more information became available.