A longtime Idaho television meteorologist was killed Tuesday morning after a small aircraft clipped a power line and plunged into an icy river near Emmett, Idaho, authorities confirmed, as reported by The New York Post.
Roland Steadham, 67, the chief meteorologist at Boise-based CBS affiliate CBS2, was one of two people killed in the crash on the Payette River. The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft departed from Emmett Airport.
According to online flight data, the plane lost contact at approximately 10:55 a.m., about 12 minutes after takeoff.
Heartbroken to share that CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Roland Steadham tragically passed away in a plane crash on Tuesday.
Roland was familiar to many in Utah from his time at KUTV and ABC4. I knew him a little, but I’ll always remember his kindness when I toured the station in Salt… pic.twitter.com/dzHXJn5hiz— Chase Thomason (@ChaseThomason) January 28, 2026
The Gem County Sheriff’s Office said preliminary information indicates the aircraft struck a power line before crashing onto the ice-covered river.
“Preliminary information indicates that a small plane clipped a power line and crashed upon the ice in the river,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday.
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Images shared by Idaho6 News showed rescue crews navigating freezing water by boat as they worked the crash site. Authorities have not released the identity of the second person on board the aircraft.
Officials also said no additional details were immediately available about the plane itself, which was registered to Northwest Registered Agent LLC.
It has not been confirmed whether Steadham was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash.
CBS2 reported that Steadham was “widely respected as an accomplished pilot” and regularly operated a small aircraft out of Emmett. He had logged more than 3,000 flight hours over the course of his aviation experience.
Roland Steadham was one of two men killed when a small plane crashed into the Payette River Tuesday morning in the Black Canyon area east of Emmett, according to the Gem County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say the pilot struck a power line before the aircraft went down onto… pic.twitter.com/iX6GQJCY1g
— Heidi Hatch KUTV (@tvheidihatch) January 28, 2026
Just one week before the crash, Steadham visited students enrolled in the aviation program at Payette River Regional Technical Academy in Emmett to speak about flying. Instructor Jim Baker recalled Steadham’s final words to the class.
“The last thing he said before leaving class was, ‘I’ve enjoyed years of flying… it’s been so good to me… and I’d really encourage you guys to pursue aviation,’” Baker told Idaho6 News.
Take a quick flight with Chief Meteorologist Roland Steadham over the backcountry in southwest Idaho. #Flying #Idaho #backcountry pic.twitter.com/GpS9jIsgC6
— CBS2 News (@CBS2Boise) January 20, 2025
In addition to aviation, Steadham was also an avid skydiver. He earned degrees from both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah.
Steadham’s broadcasting career spanned multiple major markets.
He previously served as chief meteorologist at NBC affiliate WTVJ in Miami, CBS affiliate KUTV in Salt Lake City, and ABC affiliate KTVX, also in Salt Lake City, before joining CBS2 in Boise.
Following news of his death, viewers across Idaho shared tributes online, remembering Steadham as approachable and generous with his time.
“He was a friend that my wife and I would see often at the McDonald’s here in Star. He always had time to talk about the weather and his love of flying his plane,” one person wrote on Facebook.
“God bless Roland’s family! We lost a beautiful person today doing what he loved to do,” another post read.
Steadham is survived by his wife, six children, and several grandchildren.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, the Gem County Sheriff’s Office said. Federal aviation authorities are expected to assist with determining what led to the fatal incident.
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