Tom Tiffany (center) poses with Wausau first responders the day after he was rescued from a plane crash into Lake Wausau. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — The single-engine airplane that crashed into Lake Wausau on Saturday was removed from the water on Monday afternoon.
Video shared by WAOW TV shows the plane on a flatbed truck, being carried down Grand Avenue after a towing company pulled it out of the lake. Multiple agencies were involved, including the Marathon County Dive Team and Jerry’s Towing.
Divers used flotation devices to bring the plane to the water’s surface, then moved it towards shore. Jerry’s then secured the plane and lifted it back onto land by about 2:00 PM.
“No injuries. Everything worked really [well]. No extra damage or anything like that, that could have been avoidable. So, we’re really happy with the outcome today,” said Dive Team Commander Samuel Wellhoefer.
John Chmiel, manager of the Wausau Downtown Airport, says the recovery was a success, but the bigger story is how the plane landed in the water in the first place. He says the pilot had to make split-second decisions to keep himself and the Congressman safe. “When you’re landing in water, it’s like you’re landing a black hole. So, for this airplane to land on the water, remain upright so that everybody could get out, the pilot did an excellent job. So, I think it’s a miracle on Lake Wausau, how’s that?” said Chimel.
Len Boltz was piloting the plane. His passenger was 7th Congressional District Representative and Republican nominee for Governor Tom Tiffany. Both were treated for minor injuries after Saturday’s crash.
Boltz was flying Tiffany back to the Northwoods after a day of campaigning in Southwestern Wisconsin, which included an appearance at the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner.
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