CBS News star Roland Steadham, the chief meteorologist at Boise local station CBS2, died Tuesday when his plane hit a power line and crashed in Idaho. He was 67 years old.
Steadham and another man were killed when the small aircraft went down around 11 a.m. Tuesday. The plane struck a power line before plunging into a river in Gem County.
“Preliminary information indicates that a small plane clipped a power line and crashed upon the ice in the river,” the Gem County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Steadham was an accomplished pilot and held a commercial pilot’s license and had logged more than 3,000 hours flying everything from competition aerobatics to twin-engine jets and gliders.
“It is with great sadness that we share that beloved CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Roland Steadham died in a plane crash on Tuesday,” the station wrote. “The thoughts and prayers from all of us at CBS2 are with Roland’s family, friends, and flying community. We also send our condolences to the family of the other person who died in the plane crash today.”
Steadham had visited students at a local aviation class just one week before his death to talk about his passion for flying.
“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,'” teacher Jim Baker told Idaho6 News.
Steadham spent 35 years as a television meteorologist, working at stations across the country before settling in Boise. He served as chief meteorologist at Miami-based NBC affiliate WTVJ, CBS affiliate KUTV in Salt Lake City from 2005 to 2009, and ABC affiliate KTVX also in Salt Lake City before moving to Idaho.
“For the past decade, Roland Steadham guided people through storm after storm in Idaho,” CBS2 wrote. “He loved to study the weather and shared it with people across Idaho. Roland’s excitement for the weather was contagious. He helped forecast in cities coast to coast, but fortunately, he made the Boise area his home. Roland trained countless Meteorologists who continue to inform the public across the country.”
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Steadham was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed skydiving, having completed over 700 jumps. Steadham is survived by his wife Erin, six children, and several grandchildren.
“Roland Steadham is a beloved member of this community, but no one loves him more than his family,” CBS2 said. “Roland often talked about his wife, Erin, and his six children and grandchildren. In recent years, he and his family have enjoyed their time kayaking throughout Idaho and spending time together grilling food in their backyard.”
“Our community won’t be the same without him,” CBS2 said.
Roland Steadham, the chief meteorologist at CBS Boise affiliate KBOI, died in a small plane crash on Tuesday. https://t.co/rr10a3j5WU
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 28, 2026