Roland Steadham, a 67-year-old longtime meteorologist and the chief forecaster for CBS2, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, after the small plane he was riding in struck a power line and crashed onto the icy surface of the Payette River in Gem County, Idaho. The aircraft went down near Emmett, just west of Montour, killing both men on board.
Gem County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the jet ski park turnout along the Payette River at 10:58 a.m., responding to calls about the crash. The plane lost communication at 10:55 a.m., roughly 12 minutes after taking off from Emmett Airport. The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
The aircraft was owned by Northwest Registered Agent LLC. Authorities later identified the second person killed as Dallin Laufenberg of Meridian, Idaho.
The incident caused major disruptions in the area. More than 5,300 Idaho Power customers lost electricity after the crash. Service was restored by 2:45 p.m. Schools in Horseshoe Bend closed early due to the outage. Deputies from the Gem County Sheriff’s Office, along with Gem County Fire and EMS, stayed at the scene as Idaho Power worked alongside first responders to restore power once the site was made safe.
Steadham had spent the last 10 years as chief meteorologist at CBS2, the KBOI-TV CBS affiliate in Boise, bringing over 35 years of meteorological experience to the station. He had previously worked at several TV stations across the U.S. Between 1996 and 2006, he served at WTVJ-NBC6 in Miami, followed by a tenure at WPLG Local 10 from 2013 to 2014. Before moving to Idaho, he also held roles at KUTV and KTVX in Salt Lake City.
He was also an experienced pilot who enjoyed flying for leisure. Steadham held a commercial pilot’s license and logged over 3,000 hours of flight time. Just a week before the crash, he visited an aviation class at Payette River Regional Technical Academy in Emmett, where he shared his passion for aviation with students.
His love for both weather and aviation extended well beyond his career. Steadham was also an avid skydiver, reflecting his lifelong fascination with the atmosphere he studied professionally. Colleagues at CBS2 recalled that his enthusiasm for meteorology was infectious, noting how much he enjoyed analyzing weather patterns and communicating them to communities throughout Idaho.
Steadham attended Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, earning the education that supported a career spanning more than 35 years and reaching audiences in multiple regions across the country.
Alongside his professional achievements, Steadham was deeply committed to his family. He leaves behind his wife, Erin, six daughters, and grandchildren. Friends and colleagues said he spoke often and lovingly about his family.
CBS2 honored its longtime coworker after learning of his death. “For the last decade, Roland Steadham guided Idahoans through countless storms,” the station said.
The aviation community in the Emmett area also felt the loss deeply, as Steadham had become a well-known presence there. Students and faculty at the technical academy he visited remembered his enthusiasm. Jim Baker recalled Steadham’s encouragement for students to explore aviation careers, recalling how animated he had been during his visit. “He was just so excited about it,” Baker said. “He wanted these kids to know aviation is a fantastic field to join.”
For Steadham, meteorology and aviation were more than professions—they were true passions. His work required in-depth knowledge of atmospheric behavior, which he frequently applied to his activities as a pilot. The overlap of these interests gave him a unique understanding of how weather impacts aviation safety.
Throughout his career, Steadham worked in some of the nation’s most varied weather regions. His years in South Florida exposed him to tropical weather systems and frequent hurricanes. His time in Salt Lake City involved navigating mountain storms and winter weather. In Idaho, he encountered the rapidly changing patterns typical of the Intermountain West.
Viewers and colleagues across the country remembered Steadham not just for his expertise but for his genuine excitement about meteorology. He excelled at breaking down complicated weather data in a way that audiences could understand. Whether he was covering summer storms, harsh winter conditions, or the rare tornado, he maintained the curiosity and excitement that first drew him into the field.
The section of the Payette River where the crash occurred is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation, including the nearby jet ski park. The icy river conditions at the time of the incident reflected the typical winter weather in the region during January. The crash site, west of Montour in Gem County, lies in a quiet rural area northwest of Boise.
Steadham’s passing represents the loss of a meteorologist who devoted more than three decades to helping communities prepare for and understand significant weather events. From the start of his career through his decade at CBS2 in Boise, he remained committed to public service through clear, reliable forecasting. His influence extended far beyond the weather reports he delivered, touching the lives of students, colleagues, and viewers inspired by his passion for meteorology and aviation.