Wisconsin Congressman Survives Plane Crash Into Lake
5 hours ago
Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany says he is grateful to be alive after the small plane he was traveling in lost power and made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau Saturday night.
Tiffany, a Republican who is running for Wisconsin governor, was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza lost power as it approached Wausau Downtown Airport.
Tiffany said pilot Leonard Boltz, a retired Air Force pilot, warned him that the plane was going down and told him to tighten his seat belt. About 10 seconds later, the aircraft hit the water.
The two initially remained on top of the plane before it began sinking. They then entered the water and swam roughly 100 to 150 feet until reaching an area shallow enough to stand while they waited for rescuers.
Emergency crews reached the pair by airboat shortly after 9 p.m. Both men were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Tiffany suffered a cut above his right eye that required 12 stitches, while Boltz received four stitches for his injuries.
“We’re really fortunate that God was looking after us last night,” Tiffany told reporters Sunday while recounting the ordeal.
Tiffany said the incident will not interrupt his campaign for governor or stop him from flying in the future.
The aircraft remained in Lake Wausau following the emergency landing. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, while the National Transportation Safety Board said it will determine whether to become involved after the FAA assesses the extent of the aircraft’s damage.
Tiffany, a Republican who is running for Wisconsin governor, was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza lost power as it approached Wausau Downtown Airport.
Tiffany said pilot Leonard Boltz, a retired Air Force pilot, warned him that the plane was going down and told him to tighten his seat belt. About 10 seconds later, the aircraft hit the water.
The two initially remained on top of the plane before it began sinking. They then entered the water and swam roughly 100 to 150 feet until reaching an area shallow enough to stand while they waited for rescuers.
Emergency crews reached the pair by airboat shortly after 9 p.m. Both men were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Tiffany suffered a cut above his right eye that required 12 stitches, while Boltz received four stitches for his injuries.
“We’re really fortunate that God was looking after us last night,” Tiffany told reporters Sunday while recounting the ordeal.
Tiffany said the incident will not interrupt his campaign for governor or stop him from flying in the future.
The aircraft remained in Lake Wausau following the emergency landing. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, while the National Transportation Safety Board said it will determine whether to become involved after the FAA assesses the extent of the aircraft’s damage.