Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race almost took a tragic turn this weekend. Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany and his pilot miraculously survived a dramatic plane crash into a lake in near-total darkness.
Here is what went wrong, how they managed to escape, and the critical split-second decision that saved their lives.
What Happened
On Saturday night around 8:50 PM, Representative Tom Tiffany was returning from a campaign event in La Crosse County. Flying in a single-engine Beechcraft K35 toward Wausau Downtown Airport, the aircraft suddenly lost power during its final landing approach.
The pilot, Len Boltz, acted immediately. He ordered Tiffany to brace and tighten his seatbelt. Just ten seconds later, the plane made an emergency landing directly onto the water.
The Miraculous Escape
After the impact, Tiffany and Boltz clung to the wings of the rapidly sinking plane for ten tense minutes. With Tiffany’s phone lost at the bottom of the lake, Boltz managed to call 911 using his own mobile device.
Realizing the wreckage was slipping beneath the surface, the two men made the brave decision to swim toward the shore in pitch blackness. Fortunately, they found a shallow spot in the lake where they could stand in chest-deep water.
Emergency services deployed thermal imaging cameras and rescue boats to search the dark waters. Local residents also stepped up, with one neighbor even lending their personal boat to help emergency crews locate the survivors.
The Heroic Decision
Tiffany credited his survival to Boltz’s extensive aviation experience. Boltz is a former U.S. Air Force flight instructor, and his training made all the difference.
Most importantly, Boltz chose to retract the plane's landing gear before hitting the water. Had the wheels been down, the plane likely would have flipped upon impact, resulting in a catastrophic outcome.
What's Next
Amazingly, both men escaped with minor injuries. Tiffany required 12 stitches above his eye, while Boltz needed four.
"An experience like this reminds you of how precious life is," Tiffany shared on X (formerly Twitter).
While Tiffany canceled an upcoming legislative trip to Washington, D.C., he is not letting the brush with death slow his political ambitions. The Republican candidate has already announced his immediate return to the campaign trail as he fights to become Wisconsin's next governor.
