Ten seconds is all you get when a small engine quits at night. U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany found that out the hard way when the aircraft he was riding in lost power and dropped into Lake Wausau.
Returning from a political event in Onalaska, Wisconsin, Tiffany and pilot Leonard Boltz faced every flyer's worst nightmare on a Saturday night. The single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza lost power just as it neared the Wausau Downtown Airport. Boltz had only moments to make a critical call. He aimed for the dark water of Lake Wausau rather than crashing into populated neighborhoods. Meanwhile, you can explore other events here: The Darker Reality Behind Bali Tourism And The Tragic Death At Kelingking Beach.
Surviving the Impact on Lake Wausau
The plane hit the water just before 9 p.m. It wasn't a soft touchdown. Tiffany recalled tightening his seatbelt hard after the pilot shouted that they were going down. Ten seconds later, the impact hit.
Both men managed to climb out of the cabin onto the fuselage as water began to creep up and submerge the aircraft. Realizing they couldn't just sit there waiting for the inevitable sinking, they made a tough choice. They swam about 100 to 150 feet through the dark, chilly water until they reached a shallow area where they could stand. To see the full picture, check out the detailed article by Wikipedia.
Emergency dispatchers received the 911 call right after they got out. The Wausau Fire Department arrived quickly, deploying an airboat to pull the pair from the water.
Injuries and Hospital Recovery
You don't walk away from an aviation accident completely unscathed. Tiffany ended up with a nasty cut above his right eye that needed 12 stitches. Boltz, a retired Air Force pilot, also suffered cuts that required four stitches.
Both men were rushed to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. They were treated and released quickly, but the psychological weight of the crash lingered. Tiffany later spoke to reporters at a downtown Wausau firehouse, wiping away tears while reflecting on how close things came to disaster. He credited the pilot's quick thinking and expressed deep gratitude for his survival.
What Happens Next for the Investigation
Accidents like this trigger immediate federal oversight. The Federal Aviation Administration stepped in right away to launch an official inquiry into why the Beechcraft K35 lost power. The National Transportation Safety Board also monitored the situation to determine if further federal intervention was warranted.
Meanwhile, local authorities marked the submerged aircraft with a no-wake buoy. The Marathon County Sheriff's Office urged boaters to steer clear of the site while salvage and recovery teams prepped to pull the wreckage out of Lake Wausau.
Tiffany, who is running for Wisconsin governor on the Republican ticket, stated that the terrifying ordeal won't slow down his campaign trail schedule. He's back on his feet, focusing on the upcoming November election against his Democratic opponent, David Crowley.
Accidents happen fast, but preparation and a cool-headed pilot keep tragedies from becoming permanent.
GOP congressman Tom Tiffany from Wisconsin survives emergency plane landing in lake
This video provides news coverage and footage regarding the emergency landing and subsequent rescue of Congressman Tom Tiffany from Lake Wausau.
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