Staff Reports
The short version: newly surfaced surveillance video shows the small Beechcraft carrying U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany hit Lake Wausau after losing power, crews pulled the plane from the water, and federal investigators are now digging into what went wrong. Everyone walked away — thanks to a skilled pilot and quick responders — but the footage raises as many questions as it answers.
Surveillance footage makes the frightening moment public
Home camera and local TV clips captured the moment the single‑engine Beechcraft K35 struck the lake during a final approach to Wausau. The video shows the plane hitting the water about 28 seconds into the clip. Pilot Leonard Boltz tried to restart the engine and warned Rep. Tom Tiffany to tighten his seatbelt before the impact. Tiffany suffered a cut above his right eye that required stitches; both men swam to shore and were treated and released.
Recovery, the FAA and the NTSB — now it’s official business
Crews used airbags to lift the airplane out of Lake Wausau and moved it to land for inspection. That recovery is the first crucial step so investigators can examine the engine, fuel system and controls. The Federal Aviation Administration is already involved and the National Transportation Safety Board is on standby depending on damage findings. The facts on the ground are straightforward: a 1959 Beechcraft K35 went in the water, it’s now been recovered, and federal investigators will eventually issue a factual report.
Politics, optics and the campaign trail
This is one of those rare moments where politics take a back seat to gratitude. Tiffany called the outcome a blessing and praised the pilot — who is a retired Air Force major — for keeping things from becoming a tragedy. His opponent offered prayers, and the media understandably ran dramatic footage. Still, politics will creep back in: voters deserve transparency about what caused the engine failure, whether maintenance records and the pilot’s logs check out, and whether the campaign’s travel practices meet reasonable safety standards. Tiffany says he’ll be back on the trail, and voters should judge both his recovery and his candor.
What to watch next
Expect the FAA’s initial findings and, possibly, an NTSB preliminary report in the coming days to shed light on cause. The public should also see the full dispatch audio and a clear timeline from local authorities so the surveillance clips aren’t the only record people rely on. For now, credit to the pilot and first responders for a successful rescue — and a reminder that when high‑profile figures fly private, transparency about safety and maintenance is not optional. Keep watching the FAA and NTSB statements, and don’t let the dramatic footage be the final word.
