“God was watching over us tonight.”
That’s how Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany described surviving a plane crash Saturday night that ended with him swimming out of a sinking aircraft in Lake Wausau.
VisitWausau.com
Tiffany was heading home from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when the plane he was traveling in lost power as it approached Wausau Downtown Airport.
The pilot was forced to make an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau.
Tiffany said they called 911 after landing, but soon had to get out of the aircraft as it began sinking.
“As the plane began to submerge, we exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area, where we waited until emergency responders reached us by boat,” Tiffany said.
Making the ordeal even more harrowing, temperatures in Wausau were already in the low 60s Saturday night and were expected to plunge into the upper 40s overnight.
The two waited in the water until emergency responders arrived by boat. Both Tiffany and the pilot escaped with only minor injuries and were taken to Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Tiffany thanked the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, and all of the first responders who rushed to their aid.
“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. 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,” Tiffany said.
“God was watching over us tonight, and I am incredibly grateful to be here in the hospital with my wife, Chris, by my side. An experience like this reminds you just how precious life is.”
While returning home from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner tonight, the plane I was traveling in lost power as we approached the Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau.
After landing, we called 911. As the plane began to…
— Tom Tiffany (@TomTiffanyWI) September 13, 2026
The crash comes less than two months before Tiffany is set to face voters in Wisconsin’s governor’s race.
Tiffany has represented Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District in the House since 2020 after previously serving in both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature. He grew up on a dairy farm in western Wisconsin and later became a small-business owner, operating a Northwoods excursion business with his wife, Chris.
Tiffany is now the Republican nominee for governor and will face Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in November. President Donald Trump has endorsed Tiffany in the race.
Crowley responded to the crash by saying he was relieved Tiffany and the pilot were safe and wished them a speedy 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.
I wish them and the Congressman a quick recovery and that they can find solace with their loved ones. https://t.co/WUcbFU8FY0
— David Crowley (@DavidCCrowley) September 13, 2026
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