A salvage team recovered a four-seat small plane from Lake Wausau on Monday, September 14, 2026, following an emergency water landing that involved U.S. Representative and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany. According to local reporting from FOX6 News, the aircraft lost power on its final approach to the Wausau Airport on the night of Saturday, September 12, forcing the pilot to set the plane down in the lake.
Plane Recovery Operations on Lake Wausau
Recovery crews utilized air bags to raise the submerged aircraft to the surface on Monday morning. A towing company lifted the plane out of the water onto land, where authorities transported it to a designated storage location. The multi-hour recovery operation involved cooperation between the towing service, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Emergency Landing Details and Rescue
Representative Tiffany was returning from La Crosse on Saturday night when the aircraft experienced sudden power loss, as reported by FOX6 News. The pilot instructed Tiffany to tighten his seatbelt roughly ten seconds before the plane impacted the water at approximately 9 p.m., prompting a 911 response. Both men evacuated the sinking cabin, climbed onto the fuselage to wait for help, and eventually swam to a nearby sandbar as the aircraft went under. Wausau Fire Department crews reached the stranded passengers by boat about 15 minutes later.
Injuries and Medical Follow-Up
Both Tiffany and the pilot sustained minor injuries during the impact, with Tiffany noting that his head struck the dashboard. Both men were treated for lacerations requiring stitches, transported to a hospital, and subsequently released. While Tiffany’s doctors advised him against flying for a few days following the incident, he stated his intention to resume campaigning on Monday, September 14.
Investigation and Official Response
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the cause of the emergency landing. Local political figures responded to the incident, including Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley, who issued a public message of support and contacted Tiffany directly. Tiffany remarked to reporters that his mobile phone was lost in Lake Wausau during the crash, humorously noting that any calls from federal officials like President Donald Trump were likely being answered by the local fish population.
