U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and his pilot, Leonard E. Boltz, 73, survived an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau Saturday night after their single-engine aircraft lost power while approaching the Wausau Downtown Airport in Wisconsin. Both men sustained minor injuries and were released from Aspirus Wausau Hospital overnight following the incident.
"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." Rep. Tom Tiffany, U.S. Congressman (R-WI)
The four-seat, single-engine Beechcraft K35 Bonanza was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner in Onalaska when it encountered mechanical problems. The aircraft, piloted by Boltz, was scheduled to land at the Wausau Downtown Airport, but the sudden loss of power necessitated an emergency landing. The incident occurred around 8:49 p.m. local time.
Upon the emergency water landing, Congressman Tiffany, who was the sole passenger, immediately contacted 911. As the plane began to take on water and submerge, both Tiffany and Boltz exited the aircraft. They then swam to a shallow area of Lake Wausau, where they waited for emergency responders to reach them. Tiffany described the harrowing experience in a post on X, stating, "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."
A Wausau Fire Department airboat quickly responded to the scene, reaching Tiffany and Boltz at approximately 9:05 p.m., just 16 minutes after the initial report. Emergency personnel brought both men off the water and transported them to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
Tiffany’s campaign confirmed that the Congressman suffered a cut above his right eye which required stitches. Boltz, the pilot, also received treatment for minor injuries. Both occupants were discharged from the hospital after receiving care, thankfully avoiding any serious or life-threatening conditions. Tiffany's campaign indicated he planned to speak with reporters on Sunday to provide more details about the incident.
In a public statement, Congressman Tiffany extended his profound appreciation to those involved in their rescue. "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," he said, also praising the hospital staff for their care and expressing thankfulness that neither he nor the pilot suffered serious injuries. His statements highlighted the swift and professional response of local emergency services.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified of the emergency landing. Both agencies are expected to launch a full investigation into the cause of the aircraft's power loss. The initial accounts pointed to a mechanical problem during the approach, but the specific component involved or the exact reason for the power failure on Saturday night has not yet been identified. The aircraft remained partially submerged in Lake Wausau, west of the airport, with its tail visible above the water's surface. Authorities have marked the location with a no-wake buoy and advised boaters to avoid the area until the plane can be safely removed.
Rep. Tiffany is the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor and currently represents the state’s 7th Congressional District. He is scheduled to face Democratic nominee David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, in the Nov. 3 election. Crowley, upon learning of the incident, expressed relief that no serious injuries occurred and credited the pilot’s actions with preventing a greater tragedy, according to Reuters. The incident underscores the critical importance of pilot training and emergency preparedness in aviation.
