Rep Tom Tiffany Emergency Plane Landing: Survives Lake Wausau Crash

• U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and pilot Leonard Boltz survived an emergency plane landing into Lake Wausau on Saturday evening.
• The single-engine, four-seat Beechcraft Bonanza lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport.
• Both individuals swam 100-150 feet to shore after the plane began sinking, sustaining minor cuts requiring stitches.
• The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the Lake Wausau plane incident, with the NTSB awaiting damage assessment for potential involvement.
• Tiffany, a Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate, confirmed the event would not impact his campaign.

We're really fortunate that God was looking after us last night.

U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, a 68-year-old Republican from Wisconsin and a current gubernatorial candidate, recently survived a harrowing emergency aircraft landing into Lake Wausau. The incident occurred late Saturday evening, just before 9 p.m., when the single-engine, four-seat Beechcraft Bonanza he was aboard experienced a critical power loss. The plane was on its approach to Wausau Downtown Airport, returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner.

The pilot, Leonard Boltz, identified by Tiffany as a retired Air Force pilot, quickly informed the congressman that they were "going down" and instructed him to tighten his seatbelt. Approximately ten seconds after this warning, the aircraft made an emergency landing on the surface of Lake Wausau. Both Tiffany and Boltz initially remained on top of the submerged plane, but as it began to sink, they made the decision to swim for shore.

They navigated through the water for an estimated 100 to 150 feet (30 to 45 meters) until they reached a depth shallow enough to stand. Boltz then contacted 911, and emergency responders, utilizing a fire department airboat, successfully rescued the pair shortly after 9 p.m. Tiffany sustained a cut above his right eye, requiring twelve stitches, while Boltz also received cuts that necessitated four stitches.

Following the unexpected descent of the Beechcraft Bonanza into Lake Wausau, both federal aviation authorities have initiated their standard protocols. A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the agency would be conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. This inquiry aims to determine the precise cause of the aircraft's power loss and the factors contributing to the emergency landing.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also monitoring the situation, though its direct involvement is contingent. An NTSB spokesperson indicated that the board is awaiting the FAA's preliminary assessment of the aircraft's damage. The NTSB will only become actively involved if the damage is deemed substantial enough to meet their criteria for a full investigation. This collaborative approach ensures a thorough review of aviation incidents in the Wausau area.

Meanwhile, the aircraft remains partially submerged in Lake Wausau. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office has taken measures to ensure public safety, placing a no-wake buoy near the site of the downed plane. Boaters in the area have been advised to avoid the vicinity until the aircraft can be safely removed from the water, preventing further incidents or interference with the ongoing assessment.

On Sunday, the day after the harrowing experience, Representative Tiffany spoke to reporters at a Wausau firehouse, visibly emotional as he recounted the events. He expressed profound gratitude for their survival, stating, "We're really fortunate that God was looking after us last night." Despite the gravity of the situation, Tiffany revealed that he and Boltz maintained a lighthearted demeanor during the ordeal, making jokes to cope with the seriousness of their predicament.

Tiffany acknowledged the emotional impact of the event, noting that "the gravity of this is probably just hitting me at this point." Despite the personal trauma from the Rep Tom Tiffany emergency plane landing, he affirmed that the incident would not deter his gubernatorial campaign. The emergency landing also drew a public response from David Crowley, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, who posted on X to wish Tiffany a "quick recovery" and commend the pilot's "heroism."

This article reports on a personal incident involving a public figure and the initiation of regulatory investigations by the FAA and NTSB. It does not contain specific legal rulings, new legislation, compliance requirements, or direct actionable advice for lawyers or compliance officers beyond general awareness of an aviation incident.

Source: Original reporting via Associated Press