Wisconsin Congressman Tearfully Recounts Surviving Emergency Plane Landing

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican running for Wisconsin governor, recounted Sunday how he and the pilot survived a late-night emergency landing into Lake Wausau after the small plane lost power. Tiffany told reporters at a firehouse in downtown Wausau that the pilot, Leonard Boltz, announced they were “going down” and that they then “hit the water” about 10 seconds later. Tiffany, 68, said they stayed atop the aircraft as it began sinking, then swam roughly 100 to 150 feet to shallower water before standing. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred just before 9 p.m. Saturday; Boltz called 911 and responders used an airboat to rescue them shortly after 9 p.m. Tiffany reported a cut above his right eye requiring 12 stitches; the pilot received four. The FAA will investigate and the NTSB is awaiting an assessment of damage severity. The plane remains in the lake while boats are asked to avoid the area.