**US Congressman Tom Tiffany Rescued After Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Lake**
Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany experienced a harrowing incident on Saturday night when the small plane he was traveling in encountered mechanical issues, leading to an emergency landing on Lake Wausau. Tiffany, who is also the Republican nominee for governor, reported sustaining minor injuries during the ordeal.
The incident occurred as Tiffany was returning home from a dinner in La Crosse County. As the aircraft approached Wausau Downtown Airport, it suddenly lost power, prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing in the lake. The Marathon County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting the situation at approximately 8:49 PM local time.
In a statement shared on social media, Tiffany recounted the moments following the landing. "As the plane began to submerge, we exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area, where we waited until emergency responders reached us by boat," he wrote. The pilot, who was also on board, sustained minor injuries, similar to Tiffany's.
Emergency responders from the Wausau Fire Department arrived on the scene within about 15 minutes, rescuing both men using an airboat. The sheriff's office confirmed that Tiffany and the pilot were the only occupants of the Beechcraft K35, a single-engine plane commonly known as a Bonanza, which typically has a capacity of up to five people.
Tiffany expressed gratitude for their survival, stating, "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 noted that the experience served as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, despite suffering only a small cut above his right eye.
The cause of the mechanical failure that led to the emergency landing has yet to be determined. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct investigations into the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's loss of power.
As of now, the plane remains submerged in Lake Wausau, with emergency crews actively working to recover it. The sheriff's office has not provided further details regarding the timeline for the recovery operation.
This incident highlights the potential dangers associated with small aircraft travel and the importance of emergency preparedness in aviation. As investigations continue, both Tiffany and the pilot are expected to make a full recovery from their minor injuries.