Tom Tiffany Survives Lake Landing

Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany swam to safety after his plane ditched in a lake.

•Balanced

Wisconsin’s GOP gubernatorial candidate credits pilot’s warning with saving his life before plane crash

Wisconsin congressman swims to safety after plane makes emergency landing in a lake

Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany suffers minor injuries after emergency landing in a lake

Articles

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Coverage mix

What happened

The facts the coverage agrees on, drawn from reporting across the political spectrum. Where the sides dispute something, it's attributed.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Wisconsin Republican running for governor, was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when his small plane made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday. It had engine trouble approaching Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot, identified as Len Boltz, and Tiffany were alone aboard. They called 911, exited as the plane began sinking, swam to shallow water, and were taken to Aspirus Wausau Hospital with minor injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate.

Both sides

How left-leaning and right-leaning outlets told this story, in their own coverage. Outlet names link to the article we drew from.

From the left

Coverage on the left framed the story as a narrow escape and a moment of public gratitude. The Guardian said Tiffany swam to safety after the aircraft lost power near Wausau Downtown Airport. HuffPost said responders brought him and the pilot to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. MS NOW noted Tiffany said the crash would not stop his campaign for governor, while PBS NewsHour highlighted his emotional thanks after surviving.

From the right

Conservative outlets focused on the pilot’s fast response and the danger after impact. Fox News said Leonard “Len” Boltz had seconds to react after the four-seat Bonanza lost power on final approach. The New York Post said the single-engine plane began sinking, forcing both men to swim to shallow water. Fox also reported Tiffany hit the dashboard, suffered a cut above his right eye, needed stitches, and was released from the hospital.

Coverage•31 articles — 8 left, 6 center, 17 right