On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, CBS2’s chief meteorologist, Roland Steadham, 67, was tragically killed in a small plane accident. The crash occurred in Gem County, Idaho, when the aircraft clipped a power line and plunged onto the icy surface of the Payette River. The incident took place near Emmett, west of Montour, and resulted in the death of both men aboard the plane.
Following reports of the crash, deputies from the Gem County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene at the jet ski park turnout along the Payette River at 10:58 a.m. The aircraft had broken contact three minutes earlier, a mere 12 minutes after taking off from Emmett Airport. The Gem County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the crash.
The plane was registered to Northwest Registered Agent LLC. The other victim of the crash was identified as Dallin Laufenberg from Meridian, Idaho.
The crash led to significant disturbances in the area. Over 5,300 customers of Idaho Power were left without electricity following the incident. Power was restored by 2:45 p.m. Schools in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, were forced to cancel classes for the rest of the day due to the initial power outage. Deputies from the Gem County Sheriff’s Office, alongside Gem County Fire and EMS, remained at the scene while Idaho Power collaborated with first responders to restore power once the site was secured.
Steadham had been the chief meteorologist at CBS2, the CBS affiliate KBOI-TV in Boise, Idaho, for the last ten years. He brought over 35 years of meteorological experience to his role, having worked at numerous stations across the country throughout his career. From 1996 to 2006, he was employed at WTVJ-NBC6 in Miami, Florida, and later worked at WPLG Local 10, also in Miami, from 2013 to 2014. Before relocating to Idaho, he held positions at KUTV and KTVX in Salt Lake City, Utah.
An accomplished pilot, Steadham owned a small aircraft and was a commercial pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours. Just a week before his death, he visited an aviation class at Payette River Regional Technical Academy in Emmett, sharing his passion for flying with students.
Steadham’s interest in meteorology and aviation extended beyond his professional life. He was an enthusiastic skydiver, indicating his deep fascination with the atmosphere that he had been studying for decades. His co-workers at CBS2 remembered him for his infectious enthusiasm for weather, noting how he loved to study atmospheric conditions and share his findings with the people of Idaho.
Steadham was educated at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, both in Utah. His education laid the groundwork for a career that lasted over three decades and reached viewers in various media markets across the country.
Steadham was a dedicated family man, leaving behind his wife, Erin, six daughters, and numerous grandchildren. He was known for frequently expressing his love for his family. In recent years, he and his family enjoyed kayaking throughout Idaho and spending quality time together, grilling food in their backyard. Steadham often spoke about his daughters and grandchildren, discussing their achievements and their love for life and the outdoors.
Following the news of the crash, CBS2 paid tribute to their long-time colleague. The station stated, “For the past decade, Roland Steadham guided people through storm after storm in Idaho. He loved to study the weather and shared it with people across Idaho.”
The loss was deeply felt in the Emmett aviation community, where Steadham had become a well-known figure. His recent visit to the technical academy’s aviation class left a lasting impression on both students and staff. Teacher Jim Baker recalled Steadham’s parting words to the class, sharing the meteorologist’s encouragement for young people to explore 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.”
For Steadham, meteorology and aviation represented more than just professional interests; they were lifelong passions. His work required an understanding of atmospheric conditions that directly related to his hobby as a pilot. The integration of these two fields allowed him to apply his professional knowledge to his personal pursuits, making him particularly cognizant of the weather’s impact on flight safety.
Steadham’s career took him through some of the nation’s most diverse weather markets. His decade in South Florida introduced him to tropical weather systems, including the hurricanes that often threaten that region. His stint in Salt Lake City exposed him to mountain weather patterns and winter storms. Lastly, his years in Idaho acquainted him with the rapidly changing and dramatic weather conditions of the Intermountain West.
Steadham’s colleagues and viewers across multiple states remember him for his professional expertise and authentic enthusiasm for his work. He had the ability to communicate complex weather information in a manner that was easily understood, making him a trusted voice during severe weather events, be it summer thunderstorms, winter blizzards, or the occasional tornado.
Aviation safety experts highlight that power lines present a significant risk to low-flying aircraft, especially in rural areas where they may blend into the landscape. The wires can be hard to spot, particularly during certain lighting conditions or when a pilot’s attention is drawn elsewhere. While investigations into the crash continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that even seasoned pilots face when operating small aircraft.
The area around the Payette River, where the crash occurred, is known for its picturesque 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 typifies the region in January. The crash site, situated west of Montour in Gem County, is located in a relatively rural area northwest of Boise.
The death of Steadham marks the loss of a meteorologist who dedicated over three decades to helping communities prepare for and understand weather events. From his early career through his final years at CBS2 in Boise, he demonstrated 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 that he shared with others.