Tom Tiffany and his pilot escaped a small plane that made an emergency landing on Lake Wausau on Saturday night after the aircraft lost power and began to submerge.
What happened during the emergency landing?
The single-engine Beechcraft K35 lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot executed a forced landing on Lake Wausau around 20:49 local time. Tiffany and the pilot exited the aircraft as it began to sink and swam to a shallow area. Tiffany was returning home from a dinner in La Crosse County when the mechanical issue occurred. The Marathon County Sheriff's office received the 911 report of the plane crash on the lake at that time. The Beechcraft K35, also known as a Bonanza and capable of carrying up to five people, carried only Tiffany and the pilot.
How were the two rescued?
They contacted emergency services immediately after reaching shallow water. A Wausau Fire Department airboat arrived at 21:05 local time, about 15 minutes after the 911 call, and brought them to safety. Both men suffered only minor injuries and were taken to a hospital for evaluation. Tiffany received a small cut over his right eye. The pilot also sustained minor injuries.
What has Tom Tiffany said about the incident?
Tiffany described the sequence of events on social media, noting that the plane lost power on approach. He wrote that as the plane began to submerge, they exited and swam to shallow water where they waited for responders. He expressed gratitude for surviving the event and credited emergency responders. Tiffany stated, "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."
What happens next in the investigation?
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will examine the cause of the mechanical failure. The plane remains in the lake while crews prepare to recover it. No other passengers were on board. The cause of the mechanical issue was not immediately clear.
Frequently asked questions
Was anyone else on the plane?
No. The Beechcraft K35 carried only Congressman Tiffany and the pilot.
Where was Tiffany traveling from?
He was returning from a dinner in La Crosse County when the incident occurred.
What type of aircraft was involved?
The plane was a single-engine Beechcraft K35, also known as a Bonanza, capable of carrying up to five people.
Did the plane fully submerge?
The aircraft began to submerge after landing, prompting the occupants to exit quickly and swim to safety.
Key takeaways
- Tom Tiffany and the pilot survived an emergency water landing on Lake Wausau.
- Both sustained only minor injuries and were rescued within 15 minutes.
- The Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB are investigating the cause.
- The incident occurred on Saturday night while Tiffany returned from La Crosse County.