A beloved veteran television meteorologist and father of six was killed in a small plane crash this week in Idaho when the aircraft he was aboard clipped a power line and plunged into an icy river, authorities confirmed Tuesday. Roland Steadham, 67, the longtime chief meteorologist at Boise-area CBS affiliate CBS2, was one of two people who died in the crash near the Payette River outside Emmett, Gem County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

The incident occurred around 10:55 a.m. local time after the small plane — which lost contact just 12 minutes after takeoff from Emmett Airport — struck a power line and crashed onto the ice of the river, Gem County deputies said in a preliminary statement. Both male occupants aboard the aircraft were killed on impact. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the second victim.

Steadham was widely respected not only for his weather forecasting and his decades-long career in broadcast journalism but also for his passion for aviation. According to his CBS2 biography, he was a commercially licensed pilot and avid skydiver who logged more than 3,000 hours of flight time flying a variety of aircraft. It remains unclear whether Steadham was piloting the plane at the time of the crash.

Just a week before his tragic death, Steadham visited the Payette River Regional Technical Academy in Emmett to speak to students in an aviation class, encouraging them to pursue their passion for flying. A teacher quoted him as saying, “I’ve enjoyed years of flying… it’s been so good to me… and I’d really encourage you guys to pursue aviation.” That heartfelt encouragement now carries added poignancy in light of the crash.

Steadham’s career spanned more than three decades — from early work at NBC station WTVJ in Miami and a CBS station in Salt Lake City to his long tenure as chief meteorologist at CBS2 in Boise. His colleagues and viewers remember him not just for his professional expertise but for his friendly demeanor, mentorship of young meteorologists, and his enthusiasm for community engagement.

The plane crash drew first responders to the icy Payette River, where rescue crews were seen navigating the cold waters as they searched the crash site. The Gem County Sheriff’s Office and local emergency personnel worked through frigid conditions to recover evidence and secure the area, with utility crews responding to repair lines damaged when the aircraft clipped them.

Tributes poured in from across Idaho and the broadcasting community as news of Steadham’s death spread. Viewers recalled his calm and reassuring presence during severe weather broadcasts, his warm interactions with the public at community events, and the mentorship he offered to apprentices entering the profession. Many noted how he always found time to share a laugh or a kind word, even outside of his weather reporting duties.

Steadham is survived by his wife, Erin, his six children, and several grandchildren. Statements from family members have emphasized their grief and gratitude for the outpouring of love from the community, saying that his legacy extended far beyond meteorology to the many lives he touched.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by authorities, including the Gem County Sheriff’s Office and aviation safety officials, with additional input expected from federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Officials have not yet released details about the specific aircraft model or the circumstances that led to the collision with the power line.

As the community continues to mourn, many have reflected on how Steadham brought people together through his work, whether guiding viewers through storm forecasts or sharing his passion for flying. In a life marked by curiosity, public service, and warm connections, his sudden death has resonated deeply with colleagues, viewers, and friends across the region.