Roland Steadham, a 67-year-old veteran meteorologist and chief meteorologist for CBS2, died Tuesday, January 27, 2026, when a small aircraft clipped a power line and crashed onto ice in the Payette River in Gem County, Idaho. The plane went down near Emmett, west of Montour, killing both male occupants aboard.
Deputies from the Gem County Sheriff’s Office responded to the jet ski park turnout along the Payette River at 10:58 a.m. following reports of the crash. The aircraft had lost contact at 10:55 a.m., just 12 minutes after departing from Emmett Airport. The crash remains under investigation by the Gem County Sheriff’s Office.
The plane was registered to Northwest Registered Agent LLC. The identity of the second victim had not been released.
The crash caused significant disruption to the surrounding area. More than 5,300 Idaho Power customers lost power following the incident. Power was restored by 2:45 p.m. Schools in Horseshoe Bend canceled classes for the remainder of the day due to the initial power outage. Gem County Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with Gem County Fire and EMS, responded to the scene and remained on site while Idaho Power worked with first responders to restore power once the scene was secured.
Steadham had served as chief meteorologist at CBS2, the CBS affiliate KBOI-TV in Boise, for the past decade. He brought more than 35 years of experience in meteorology to the position, having worked at several stations across the country throughout his career. From 1996 to 2006, he worked at WTVJ-NBC6 in Miami. He later worked at WPLG Local 10, also in Miami, from 2013 to 2014. Before settling in Idaho, he also held positions at KUTV and KTVX, both in Salt Lake City.
Steadham was an accomplished pilot who owned a small aircraft and enjoyed recreational flying. He was a commercially licensed pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours. He visited an aviation class at Payette River Regional Technical Academy in Emmett just a week before his death, sharing his passion for flying with students.
The meteorologist’s enthusiasm for weather and aviation extended beyond his professional duties. He was also an avid skydiver, demonstrating his love for activities involving the atmosphere he spent decades studying. His colleagues at CBS2 remembered his excitement for weather as contagious, noting how he loved to study atmospheric conditions and share his findings with people across Idaho.
Steadham received his education from two Utah institutions: Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. His academic background provided the foundation for a career that would span more than three decades and touch viewers in multiple media markets across the United States.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Steadham was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife, Erin, six children and several grandchildren. Those who knew him noted that he rarely had a conversation without sharing his love for his family. In recent years, he and his family enjoyed kayaking throughout Idaho and spending time together grilling food in their backyard.
CBS2 paid tribute to their longtime colleague following news of the crash. “For the past decade, Roland Steadham guided people through storm after storm in Idaho,” the station stated. “He loved to study the weather and shared it with people across Idaho.”
The loss resonated particularly with the aviation community in the Emmett area, where Steadham had become a familiar figure. His recent visit to the technical academy’s aviation class left a lasting impression on students and faculty alike. Teacher Jim Baker recalled Steadham’s parting words to the class, sharing the meteorologist’s encouragement for young people to pursue careers in aviation. “He was just so excited about it,” Baker said. “He really wanted these kids to know that aviation is a great field to get into.”
The combination of meteorology and aviation represented more than just professional interests for Steadham—they were passions he actively pursued throughout his life. His work required an understanding of atmospheric conditions that directly related to his hobby as a pilot. The intersection of these two fields allowed him to apply his professional knowledge to his personal pursuits, making him particularly aware of weather’s impact on flight safety.
Steadham’s career trajectory took him through some of the nation’s most diverse weather markets. His decade in South Florida exposed him to tropical weather systems, including hurricanes that regularly threaten the region. His time in Salt Lake City familiarized him with mountain weather patterns and winter storms. Finally, his years in Idaho brought him face-to-face with the varied conditions of the Intermountain West, where weather can change rapidly and dramatically.
The meteorologist’s colleagues and viewers across multiple states remembered him not just for his professional expertise but for his genuine enthusiasm for his work. His ability to communicate complex weather information in an accessible way made him a trusted voice during severe weather events. Whether tracking summer thunderstorms, winter blizzards or the occasional tornado, Steadham maintained the excitement and curiosity that drew him to meteorology in the first place.
Aviation safety experts note that power lines pose a significant hazard to low-flying aircraft, particularly in rural areas where they may be less visible against the landscape. The wires can be difficult to see, especially during certain lighting conditions or when a pilot’s attention is focused on other aspects of flight. While investigations into the crash continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks that even experienced pilots face when operating small aircraft.
The Payette River area where the crash occurred is known for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, including the jet ski park near the crash site. The frozen river conditions at the time of the incident reflected the winter weather that characterizes the region during January. The crash site, west of Montour in Gem County, is located in a relatively rural area northwest of Boise.
Steadham’s death marks the loss of a meteorologist who dedicated more than three decades to helping communities prepare for and understand weather events. From his early career through his final years at CBS2 in Boise, he maintained a commitment to public service through weather forecasting, combining scientific expertise with an ability to connect with viewers. His legacy extends beyond the forecasts he delivered to include the students he mentored and the passion for both meteorology and aviation he shared with others.