Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for governor of Wisconsin and a sitting member of Congress, said he sustained minor injuries after the light aircraft he was traveling in was forced to make an emergency water landing late Saturday near Wausau, Wisconsin.
Officials, bystanders and Tiffany describe swift rescue
In a statement posted to X, Tiffany said he and the pilot swam to shore after the plane lost power while approaching the Wausau Downtown Airport and began to submerge in Lake Wausau. He thanked first responders and hospital staff for their care.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, and all of the first responders who came to our aid so quickly,” Tiffany wrote. “They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care. Thankfully, both the pilot and I sustained only minor injuries.”
Audio from emergency-service radio communications obtained by NBC News indicated that rescue teams were dispatched after reports of a downed plane with two people in the water. The transmissions suggested both occupants were “alert and conscious” when pulled from the lake.
Political context and responses
Tiffany represents Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District and is the Republican nominee in the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election. He has been publicly endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
David Crowley, Tiffany’s Democratic opponent, posted on X expressing relief that no one was more seriously hurt and offering well-wishes for a full recovery.
“I’m grateful to God that Congressman Tiffany and no one else was hurt in this horrifying incident, which could have been a tragedy if not for the heroism of the pilot,” Crowley wrote. “I wish them and the Congressman a quick recovery and that they can find solace with their loved ones.”
Immediate aftermath and known details
The pilot and Tiffany were taken to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for treatment. Officials described their injuries as minor, and Tiffany reiterated that both occupants received excellent care.
- Who: Rep. Tom Tiffany and the pilot
- What: Emergency water landing after reported power loss
- Where: Lake Wausau, near Wausau Downtown Airport, Wisconsin
- When: Late Saturday (specific time not disclosed)
- Outcome: Both occupants alert and conscious; transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital with minor injuries
| Detail | Report |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday (reported Sept. 13, 2026) |
| Location | Lake Wausau, approaching Wausau Downtown Airport |
| Injuries | Minor (both occupants) |
| Hospital | Aspirus Wausau Hospital |
Emergency radio communications, as reported by NBC News, show that crews treated the situation as a downed aircraft with occupants in the water — prompting a water rescue response. Local fire and rescue units were credited by Tiffany in his statement for their rapid arrival and assistance.
What remains unclear
Officials have not released a detailed timeline of the flight, the exact cause of the reported power loss, the aircraft type, or the pilot’s identity. Federal aviation authorities and local investigators customarily review incidents of this nature to determine causal factors; no investigative findings have been reported publicly at this time.
As Tiffany continues his recovery, the incident introduces a personal and political moment in the closing weeks of a competitive gubernatorial race. Both his campaign and local authorities provided only limited detail in initial public statements, and follow-up information from official investigative bodies is expected in the coming days.
This article will be updated as additional, verified details become available from authorities and Tiffany’s office.
