Home · Politics · Sep 13 archive
Wisconsin Congressman Sustains Minor Injuries After Plane Crash Lands in Lake
Confirmed
In Short: Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany and a pilot escaped with minor injuries after their plane lost power and made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau, prompting a frantic search by first responders.
Tom Tiffany and a pilot were returning from a Lincoln Day Dinner in La Crosse County when their Beechcraft K35 lost power on approach to Wausau Downtown Airport, forcing an emergency landing in Lake Wausau around 8:50 p.m. local time on Saturday.
Tiffany and the pilot exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area where they waited for emergency responders. The plane began to submerge, and Tiffany and the pilot were pulled from the lake and transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
The FAA is investigating the cause of the crash, with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and State Patrol also involved. Tiffany was flying with Len Boltz, a private pilot, and both sustained only minor injuries, including a laceration above Tiffany's right eye that required stitches.
What's confirmed
- Tiffany, a Republican, said in a social media post that he was returning from La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when the plane he was traveling in lost power on approach to Wausau Downtown Airport, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in the water.
- As the plane began to submerge, Tiffany and the pilot exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area where they waited for emergency responders, he said.
What's still developing
- A Beechcraft K35 landed in Lake Wausau around 8:50 p.m. local time Saturday after the pilot reported engine issues, the Federal Aviation Administration told CBS News on Sunday.
- Tiffany's Democratic opponent, David Crowley, responded by saying he was "grateful to God that Congressman Tiffany and no one else was hurt in this horrifying incident, which could have been a tragedy if not for the heroism of the pilot."
- The congressman explained that he and the pilot quickly called 911 after hitting the water, but the aircraft began filling and sinking into the lake before rescuers could reach them.
- "Tom suffered a laceration above his right eye that required stitches and was released from the hospital last night. The pilot was also released. Tom and his family thank God that neither suffered more serious injuries and are grateful for the exceptional care he received at Aspirus Wausau Hospital," the statement said.
- Tiffany's campaign later released a statement explaining the circumstances of the crash and the candidate's injuries.
- Tiffany was flying with Len Boltz, a private pilot whom the congressman has flown with before, Tiffany said at a news conference Sunday.
- He said the plane lost power during final approach and went down 10 seconds after he was told to tighten his seat belt.
- He noted his phone is at the bottom of the lake, so he doesn't know specifically who has reached out to him, including any possible attempt by the president to do so.