NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany said he and a pilot escaped with minor injuries after their small plane lost power and made an emergency landing on a lake Saturday night. Tiffany said the four-seat Bonanza was approaching the downtown Wausau airport when it lost power following its appearance at the Lincoln Day dinner in La Crosse County. MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING AFTER ENGINE FAILURE Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate, holds a news conference Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer) The congressman explained that he and the pilot quickly called 911 after hitting the water, but the plane began to fill and sink into the lake before rescuers could reach them. “When the plane began to dive, we exited the plane and swam to a shallow area, where we waited until emergency services reached us by boat,” Tiffany said. MULTIPLE INJURED AFTER FLOAT MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING AND FIRE OFF THE WASHINGTON COAST Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, Republican candidate for governor, speaks at a campaign event in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, on August 10, 2026. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News) Tiffany and the pilot were pulled from the lake and transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Both suffered only minor injuries, according to the congressman. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department and all the first responders who came to our aid so quickly,” Tiffany said. “We were safely pulled out of the water and transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care.” Tiffany shared that his wife, Chris, was by his side in the hospital after the harrowing landing and water rescue. “God was watching over us tonight and I am incredibly grateful to be here in the hospital with my wife, Chris, by my side,” he said. “An experience like this reminds you how precious life is.” Prayers and messages of relief poured out on social media after Tiffany shared details of the decision. ‘COMMON SENSE AGAINST CRAZY’: TRUMP-BACKED CANDIDATE SOUNDS ALARM OVER HONG’S SOCIALIST RACE IN WISCONSIN Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., leaves the U.S. Capitol after the final votes of the week outside on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) “My God! What a terrible experience! I am. so thankful everyone is safe,” one person wrote. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Congresswoman Tiffany,” another commented. “Prayers to you and everyone on board that flight!” wrote a third person. “I’m so grateful everyone is alive and able to see their loved ones.” Tiffany currently represents Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District and is running as the Republican candidate for governor in the state’s upcoming election. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP The cause of the reported power loss remains under investigation. Stepheny Price is a staff writer for Fox News focusing on West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, domestic and international crime stories, homicide cases and border security.
