Wisconsin congressman survives emergency plane landing, swims to safety

Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin said he and the pilot had to swim to safety after their small single-engine plane made an emergency landing on Lake Wausau near Wausau Downtown Airport Saturday evening. Tiffany reported that the aircraft lost power as it approached the airport. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said pilot Leonard Boltz carried out the emergency landing and that both men exited as the plane began to submerge, moving to a shallow area until responders reached them by boat. Tiffany said a 911 call came from an occupant while they were standing atop the aircraft. Investigators with the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will examine the incident; officials said initial information points to a mechanical failure.