Power Loss Over Lake — What He Did Next

Wisconsin’s Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany swam to safety after his plane lost power and ditched in Lake Wausau, a harrowing close call that ended with minor injuries and a message of gratitude.

Story Highlights

Tiffany says the plane lost power near Wausau and made an emergency water landing.
Tiffany and the pilot exited as the aircraft sank and swam to shallow water.
First responders brought both to a hospital; injuries were reported as minor.
Water landings are rare, but controlled ditchings often have high survival rates.

Emergency Landing On Lake Wausau

Tom Tiffany said his small aircraft lost power as it neared Wausau Downtown Airport on Saturday night. He was returning from a Lincoln Day Dinner in La Crosse County when the pilot executed an emergency water landing on Lake Wausau. Tiffany described how they called 911, exited as the plane began to submerge, and swam toward shallow water before help arrived. Local coverage reported he framed the outcome as a blessing and thanked God and the rescuers for their fast response.

Local and national outlets confirmed that first responders reached Tiffany and the pilot, transported them for medical checks, and reported only minor injuries. Reports also noted that the aircraft, described as a light, four-seat plane, went down close to the airport after the power loss. Officials typically document such events for federal review, but the immediate focus remained on the rescue and the stable condition of both men after they left the water on their own power that night.

Rescue, Injuries, And What Comes Next

Police, fire, and emergency medical crews answered the 911 call and coordinated the response on the lake. Crews moved quickly to secure the scene and ensure both men received care at a nearby hospital. Tiffany’s team said the injuries were minor and both were released. Standard steps after such incidents include securing the wreckage and notifying federal safety investigators to assess cause. Early reporting centered on the loss of power and the successful controlled water landing that limited harm.

Officials often defer detailed findings until federal reviews conclude. Those inquiries look at maintenance records, fuel and engine systems, and pilot decision-making. While the final cause will take time, the actions by the pilot and the physical condition of the lake likely reduced risk. A smooth, controlled touchdown on water, followed by a quick exit and swim to safety, gave rescuers the time they needed. That sequence helps explain why injuries remained minor and why both men walked away.

Why Survivability Was High In This Ditching

Aviation history shows that planned water landings are uncommon but survivable when pilots maintain control and passengers evacuate fast. Museum and training materials note there are roughly a dozen emergency water landings across all aviation each year, far fewer than in past decades. Survival rates are strong in controlled ditchings because energy is managed and flotation time, even brief, allows escape. Tiffany’s account aligns with that pattern: a power loss, a controlled touchdown, and a quick egress to shallow water.

Federal training resources also stress that rapid recognition of engine problems and decisive action can mean the difference between life and death. Forced landings carry higher risk than precautionary landings, but skill and planning improve odds. In Wisconsin, cool water, night conditions, and proximity to shore added challenges. But disciplined piloting, working 911, and fast local responders limited the danger. That is why both men ended the night with minor injuries instead of a tragedy that could have shaken the state.

Leadership, Gratitude, And A Grounded Campaign

Tiffany’s message after the rescue focused on faith, gratitude, and the skill of his pilot and first responders. Many voters respect leaders who keep calm under pressure and credit the people who help them. This was not a campaign rally. This was a test of judgment and grit in a split second. Tiffany’s decisions, the pilot’s control, and local crews working together produced a steady outcome on a dangerous night, and that steadiness matters in any governor’s race.

Wis.: Rep. Tom Tiffany says he swam to safety after plane made emergency water landing, ‘sustained only minor injuries’ https://t.co/U0ClFa6btC #LONGISLAND

— LongIsland-NY.com (@LongIslandNYcom) September 13, 2026

Wisconsin families want competence more than drama. They face high costs, rising crime, and federal red tape that crowds their daily lives. They expect public servants to be calm, prepared, and humble when trouble hits. This incident showed a candidate who leaned on training, teamwork, and faith to get home. Investigators will do their job on the technical cause. For now, the facts show a near miss turned into a quiet win for prudence, rescue skills, and answered prayers.