GOP congressman swims to safety after plane makes emergency landing in lake

Wausau, Wisconsin — Republican congressman Tom Tiffany recounted his harrowing experience after his plane made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau on Saturday night. The incident occurred as Tiffany, on his way back from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner, was returning to Wausau Downtown Airport. As the light aircraft approached the airport, it lost power, prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing in the lake.

Both Tiffany and the pilot found themselves in the water following the emergency landing. According to Tiffany, they immediately called 911 and, as the plane began to submerge, swiftly exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow region. There, they waited patiently for the arrival of emergency responders on a boat. Both were subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, receiving care for minor injuries.

Tiffany, who is currently vying for the governorship on the Republican ticket in Wisconsin and has received the endorsement of President Donald Trump, shared his ordeal on social media platform X. The plane Tiffany was traveling aboard was a single-engine, four-seat Bonanza aircraft, typical for such emergency situations.