NTSB: Pilot error caused plane crash involving Tom Tiffany

Pilot error caused the plane crash involving Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany in September, according to the National Transportation Safety Board Preliminary Report.

“The pilot said the loss of engine power was due to his delay in switching fuel tanks and not turning on the electric fuel boost pump” during flight, according to the report.

The sheriff’s office identified the pilot as 73-year-old Leonard Boltz from Pearson after the crash.

The left main fuel tank was empty, while the right main tank and both auxiliary tanks were full, the report stated.

The fuel selector was set to the right main tank, and the boost pump switch was off. The airplane had taken off earlier that day with 70 gallons of fuel and was not refueled before the flight to Wausau, according to the NTSB.

“Tom will always be grateful to the pilot for his composure during the emergency. In a life-threatening situation, he remained calm and did what was necessary to ensure they both survived,” the Tiffany campaign said Wednesday.

The crash

While landing, the pilot noticed a higher-than-normal engine exhaust temperature and switched the fuel selector to the right main tank. He advanced the mixture and throttle controls but said the engine did not respond. He did not turn on the electric fuel boost pump while trying to restore power.

The Beech K35 airplane struck water while the pilot was trying to reach the runway at Wausau Downtown Airport, damaging the plane.

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said the initial 911 call came in at 8:49 p.m. Saturday.

“After the crash, we called 911,” Tiffany said in a statement. “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.”

Tiffany’s campaign said he received stitches above his right eye at Aspirus Wausau Hospital overnight and was released. The pilot also received stitches and was released.

The 911 call

The 911 call was made in the moments after the crash, and the dispatcher can be heard asking Tiffany and his pilot, Boltz, if they can swim to safety.

Only the dispatcher can be heard in the 911 call. The sheriff’s office released a statement, saying, “The missing audio was not captured by the recording equipment. The problem that caused the audio to not be recorded has been resolved for future calls, but the missing audio is not recoverable.”

Listen to the full 911 call and see what the scene and removal of the plane looked like below.

The dispatcher tells them how to help the rescuers find them, including using lights to be seen faster.

“Just try to have a flashlight or your phone out,” the dispatcher said. “Still waving it around like one of you guys has a phone. You can just wave in the air with a flashlight on or something. It’ll help too, because they’re looking from the shoreline right now.”

The rescue

Tiffany said when the plane crashed, they called for help and then stood on the top of the plane as it began to sink. They ended up swimming to shallow waters, where they waited for rescuers.

Video shows a crew member calling in what they believed was going to be a fuel spill after the crash. It showed the plane in the water in the dark with flashlights surrounding the area.

“We just got the pilot and the passenger out,” the man said.

Sister station WISN spoke with Wausau Fire Battalion Chief Kraig Kruzan on Sunday. He was asked about the upgrades to boats that fire stations have done over the past few years.

“The boat that we use for a river system is very important,” Kruzan said. “You have to be able to manage very shallow water, as well as very deep water. Having a shallow-running boat is very important to our success. Even crossing from the boat landing, we had to cross water that was as little as a foot deep. Standard tiller boats might run aground and get you stuck. Having the proper equipment is key to the success of a situation like this.”

When he realized the crew had rescued a sitting member of Congress who was running for governor, he said, “That reaction didn’t come until I watched them both safely walk onto shore from the boat, and I was just pleased that, regardless of who they are. I’m glad they were safe. And for the most part had very minor injuries. So I think everybody on our crew was very relieved to find that the injuries were so minor, they were able to walk under their own power. Things could have been a lot worse.”

Witnesses

Video obtained by WISN from a neighbor Monday night shows the moment the plane crashed into the lake.

A 911 call also came in from someone who was hanging out in the back of their truck at DC Everest Park and reported the crash.

“There was a water plane that came in, and they crashed,” the man said.

He continued to tell the dispatcher that he saw some lights for a bit, but then it was dark.

“They were coming down pretty smooth,” the man said to the dispatcher. “And then they just. They just went nose first.”

Full statement

Tom Tiffany issued the following statement after the crash.

“While returning home from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner, the plane I was traveling in lost power as we approached the Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau.

“After landing, we called 911. 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.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, and all of the first responders who came to our aid so quickly. They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care. Thankfully, both the pilot and I sustained only minor injuries.

“God was watching over us tonight, and I am incredibly grateful to be here in the hospital with my wife, Chris, by my side. An experience like this reminds you just how precious life is.”

Emotional thanks

In a news conference Sunday afternoon, Tiffany thanked everyone who reached out with prayers and kind words, and said he was especially grateful to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, law enforcement, first responders and the team at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their care and quick response.

“(I’m) just grateful for the Lord for sparing us another day,” Tiffany said.

Watch the full news conference in the video player below.

Plane removal

Officials removed the plane from Lake Wausau Monday. It had been partially submerged since the crash happened, and people were asked to avoid the area.

Crowley responds to the incident

Democratic candidate for governor David Crowley spoke after hearing about the crash.

“I’m grateful to God that Congressman Tiffany and no one else was hurt in this horrifying incident, which could have been a tragedy if not for the heroism of the pilot. I wish them and the Congressman a quick recovery and that they can find solace with their loved ones,” he said.