Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany declared that a harrowing emergency water landing will not halt his campaign for Wisconsin’s highest office, speaking publicly just one day after surviving a plane crash into Lake Wausau. Addressing reporters at an emotional news conference, the candidate expressed deep gratitude for his survival and promised to continue his political bid with renewed vigor.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening, September 12, 2026, when a small aircraft carrying Tiffany and pilot Leonard Boltz experienced total engine failure. The sudden loss of power forced an immediate emergency landing into the waters of Lake Wausau as the plane made its final approach toward Wausau Downtown Airport.
Marathon County emergency dispatchers received the initial emergency notification reporting the downed aircraft at 8:49 p.m. Despite the sudden descent into the dark lake, both occupants managed to escape the sinking fuselage and navigate to safety before being retrieved by local rescue teams.
Tiffany sustained a laceration on his eyebrow that required medical stitches, but both he and the pilot avoided catastrophic physical harm. Reflecting on the close call, Tiffany maintained an upbeat yet humble perspective on the ordeal, asserting that the accident would have no dampening effect on his statewide campaign efforts.
The candidate framed the survival as a reminder of his commitment to public service, noting the symbolic significance of the location. Tiffany pointed out that he had originally launched his gubernatorial campaign in Wausau roughly one year earlier, stating firmly that he intended to finish the job he initially set out to accomplish.
Recounting the moments leading up to the impact, Tiffany described the flight as completely routine and smooth until their final descent. Without warning, Boltz alerted him that the aircraft had lost mechanical power and that they had no choice but to bring the plane down immediately into the water.
With only seconds to react, Boltz instructed Tiffany to cinch his seatbelt as tightly as possible to brace for the imminent crash landing. Tiffany estimated that approximately ten seconds elapsed between the pilot's urgent warning and the impact of the plane striking the surface of Lake Wausau.
Following the water landing, both men quickly unbuckled and exited the cabin onto the exterior of the aircraft as it began to take on water and submerge. While Tiffany’s mobile phone was lost in the lake during the chaos, Boltz managed to retain his device and immediately dialed 911 to report their position and request emergency assistance.
As the plane continued to steadily sink beneath the surface, the two men evaluated their precarious position and agreed that staying with the disappearing wreckage was no longer viable. They made the collective decision to jump into the water and attempt to swim toward the shoreline.
After swimming approximately 150 feet through the lake, Tiffany discovered that he had reached a shallow high point in the waterbed where he was able to stand upright. From that vantage point in the shallows, both men were able to stabilize themselves and await the arrival of emergency rescue teams.
Emergency personnel from the Wausau Fire Department and local first responders deployed an airboat to navigate the lake and retrieve the stranded men. The specialized rescue vessel brought Tiffany and Boltz safely back to dry land, where they were evaluated by medical personnel.
Tiffany effusively praised Boltz’s quick thinking, composure, and technical skill in guiding the powerless aircraft to a survivable landing. He credited the pilot’s decisive actions under intense pressure as the critical factor that prevented a potentially fatal catastrophe.
During the press briefing, Tiffany appeared alongside his wife, Chris, walking into the room hand-in-hand. An emotional Tiffany admitted that while the duo attempted to maintain their spirits with lighthearted humor throughout the ordeal, the true gravity of the brush with death was only beginning to fully register.
The Sunday press conference took place in the vehicle bay of the Wausau Police Department, with the very airboat utilized in the water rescue prominently positioned behind the podium. Nine firefighters and paramedics who participated in the emergency response stood alongside Tiffany as he recounted the event and presented the department with a fruit basket in appreciation.
The briefing provided a glimpse into the active nature of emergency services, as periodic dispatch calls echoed over the facility's speaker system, prompting Tiffany to pause his remarks out of respect. At one point, two firefighters standing in the formation excused themselves to immediately respond to an active emergency call, drawing praise from Tiffany for their ongoing dedication to public safety.
Photographs from the scene on Sunday morning showed the tail section of the submerged aircraft still visibly protruding from the waters of Lake Wausau, serving as a stark reminder of the close encounter. Despite the dramatic setback and visible injuries, Tiffany reiterated his determination to remain fully engaged on the campaign trail in the weeks ahead.
(0)