Authorities have released more details on the emergency landing in Lake Wausau that forced U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, and his pilot to swim to safety in Lake Wausau late Saturday. The two suffered only minor injuries after their small plane lost power on approach to Wausau Downtown Airport and made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau.
Tiffany, 68, of Hazelhurst, was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when the four-seat Beechcraft Bonanza (identified by authorities as a Beechcraft K35) experienced a mechanical issue. The pilot, Leonard E. Boltz, 73, of Pearson, put the aircraft down on the lake shortly after 8:49 p.m., according to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office.
After splashdown, the two men called 911. As the plane began to submerge, they climbed out and swam toward shallow water while emergency crews searched for them. A Wausau Fire Department airboat reached them at 9:05 p.m. and brought them ashore. They were taken to Aspirus Wausau Hospital and treated for minor injuries. The aircraft remained in the lake Sunday, and a no-wake zone was established around the scene.
In a statement, Tiffany thanked the pilot and first responders.
“While returning home from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner, the plane I was traveling in lost power as we approached the Wausau Downtown Airport,” he said. “The pilot made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau,” he said. “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.
“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.”
The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Wausau Police Department, Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wausau Fire Department, and SAFER Fire/EMS all responded. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the power loss. No additional injuries were reported.
“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.”
