TV Meteorologist Killed in Small Airplane Crash
Meg Godlewski
Mon, February 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC
2 min read
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- CubCrafters, an aircraft manufacturer in Washington state, created a Media Evaluation Program allowing select members of the aviation media community temporary access to company-owned aircraft for independent evaluation and content creation.
- Roland Steadham, chief meteorologist for KBOI-TV in Boise, Idaho, and a passenger were killed in a crash while flying a CubCrafters CCX-1865 Carbon Cub FX in a remote part of the Payette River in Gem County's Black Canyon after clipping a power line.
- CubCrafters has decided to "temporarily suspend" its Media Evaluation Program following the tragic accident, stating that safety has always been their highest priority and extending condolences to all those impacted by the event.
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Having the opportunity to fly a particular aircraft and then share the story with the public is one of the perks of being a media personality and a pilot.
CubCrafters, the Washington state-based maker of tailwheel-equipped aircraft synonymous with backcountry flying, knows this and created a Media Evaluation Program that permits select members of the aviation media community temporary access to company-owned aircraft for independent evaluation, review, and content creation.
One of the pilots participating in the program was Roland Steadham, chief meteorologist for KBOI-TV in Boise, Idaho. On January 27, Steadham and passenger Dallin Laufenberg were killed in a crash while flying a CCX-1865 Carbon Cub FX (N126C) in a remote part of the Payette River in Gem County's Black Canyon. According to the Gem County Sheriff's Office, the small airplane clipped a power line just before 11 a.m. MST Tuesday morning.
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According to CubCrafters, Steadham had been flying the aircraft since December 2025.
"Each program engagement begins with a detailed review of the aircraft's systems, operating considerations, and a discussion of our expectations for conservative and safe aircraft operations," the company said. "While CubCrafters hopes participants will share favorable impressions of the aircraft through print and digital media, there is no requirement or obligation to produce or publish any specific type, quantity, or timing of content."
Brad Damm, vice president of CubCrafters, said in a news release that the company has decided to "temporarily suspend" its Media Evaluation Program.
"CubCrafters believes it is appropriate to pause the program while we reflect on the event, continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, and evaluate the future of this program," said Damm. "Safety has always been, and will continue to be, our highest priority. We extend our deepest condolences to all those impacted by this tragic event."
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The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
According to Steadham's television colleagues, he was married and the father of six, and had several grandchildren. He was known in Idaho's Treasure Valley for being an avid outdoorsman and accomplished pilot.
About the Program
Pilots in the Media Evaluation Program have several weeks to fly a selected aircraft in real-world conditions. The pilots must meet experience requirements of 1,000 hours total flight and at least 500 hours of tailwheel experience in a similar type of aircraft.
Participants are not compensated in any way for using the aircraft and must pay their own expenses.