Roland Steadham, a chief meteorologist for a prominent television station in Idaho, has died tragically in a plane crash.
CBS2 in Boise announced Steadham’s death in a story on its website. “It is with great sadness that we share that beloved CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Roland Steadham died in a plane crash on Tuesday. He and another person, identified by the Gem County Coroner as Dallin Laufenberg, were on the plane when it crashed on the Payette River near Emmett,” the television station reported.
“Roland Steadham is a beloved member of this community, but no one loves him more than his family. Roland often talked about his wife, Erin, and his six children and grandchildren,” the station added. “In recent years, he and his family have enjoyed their time kayaking throughout Idaho and spending time together grilling food in their backyard.”
The station added, “For the past decade, Roland Steadham guided people through storm after storm in Idaho.”
Steadham’s Facebook cover photo and profile picture show him with a small plane.
Three weeks ago, a friend wrote on a photo showing him with a plane, “NICE!! How’s the winter performance boost?!?!”
Steadham responded, “It’s amazing.” He added in another comment, “One sweet ride.”
“On January 27, 2026, at approximately 10:58 a.m., Gem County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the jet ski park turnout on the Payette River, west of Montour, Idaho, in Gem County, Idaho, for a report of a small plane crash,“ the Gem County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a statement.
“Preliminary information indicates that a small plane clipped a power line and crashed upon the ice in the river. Two male occupants were aboard and both were fatally injured in the crash,” it adds.
“Gem County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Gem County Fire and EMS responded to the incident and remain on scene. Power is out and Idaho Power is working with first responders to restore the lines as soon as the scene is secure. Gem County Sheriff’s Office reports that there are no closures along Highway 52.This crash is under investigation by the Gem County Sheriff’s Office,” the statement continued.
It’s not clear whether Steadham was piloting the plane.