Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany survives emergency plane landing in lake, swims to safety

Wisconsin Representative Tom Tiffany and his pilot safely swam to a shallow area after their small plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Lake Wausau on Saturday evening, September 12, 2026. The aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft K35, lost power as it approached the Wausau Downtown Airport.

After the emergency water landing, the plane began to submerge. Congressman Tiffany, who is also the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, and the pilot exited the aircraft and swam to a safe, shallow location where they awaited rescue.

First responders, including the Wausau Fire Department, quickly reached them by boat. Both Tiffany and the pilot sustained only minor injuries, with Tiffany reporting he received stitches above his right eye, and both were released from Aspirus Wausau Hospital.