Tiffany Swims to Safety After Plane Loses Power in Lake Wausau

Wisconsin Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the party's nominee for governor, escaped with minor injuries after the small plane he was traveling in lost power and made an emergency landing on Lake Wausau late Saturday. Tiffany and the pilot exited the sinking aircraft and swam to a shallow area before first responders arrived by boat.

The four-seat Beechcraft Bonanza, also known as a Bonanza, was approaching Wausau Downtown Airport when it lost power. Tiffany had just spoken at the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner roughly 100 miles away. The pilot executed the water landing, and both men called 911 immediately upon impact. The plane began taking on water and submerging before help reached them. Tiffany described swimming to safety and waiting in the shallows until the Wausau Fire Department pulled them from the lake.

Both Tiffany and the pilot were taken to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Tiffany credited the pilot's actions and the rapid response from local emergency crews. "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. "They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care."

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

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the aircraft type and that the incident occurred during approach to the airport. No further details on the cause of the power loss have been released. Local officials at the Wausau Fire Department and Wausau Downtown Airport have not issued additional statements.

Tiffany's campaign has continued without interruption following the incident. As the Republican nominee in the Wisconsin governor's race, he has maintained a schedule focused on appearances across the state. The event underscores the routine risks faced by candidates who travel frequently by small aircraft to reach voters in rural districts.

Stories of individuals relying on skill and quick decisions in emergencies align with longstanding observations about personal responsibility over dependence on distant institutions. The pilot's handling of the landing and the pair's decision to swim rather than remain with the sinking plane prevented a worse outcome. Local responders, operating at the community level, completed the rescue without the delays sometimes associated with larger bureaucratic systems.

Tiffany has represented Wisconsin's 7th congressional district since 2020 and previously served in the state legislature. His gubernatorial bid emphasizes fiscal restraint and limited government, themes consistent with his record. Supporters have pointed to the incident as an example of resilience amid the demands of a statewide campaign.

No other passengers were aboard the plane. Investigations into the mechanical failure are expected to continue through standard federal channels. Tiffany expressed appreciation for the care received and said he looks forward to resuming full campaign activities in the coming days.