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BREAKTHROUGH: New Details Emerge in Roland Steadham Plane Crash

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Chief Meteorologist Dies After Small Plane Hits Power Line and Crashes into River. Other Person Aboard Also Killed

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A 67-year-old meteorologist died in a small plane crash in Idaho on Jan. 27
Another person aboard also died after the aircraft hit a power line and plummeted into a river
The weatherman is survived by his wife, six children and grandchildren, his station said

A beloved meteorologist has been identified as one of two victims who died in a small plane crash in Idaho earlier this week.

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Roland Steadham, the chief meteorologist for CBS2, was named as one of the people who died in the crash near Emmett earlier that day, CBS affiliate KBOI announced. He was 67.

“For the past decade, Roland Steadham guided people through storm after storm in Idaho,” the station wrote. “He loved to study the weather and shared it with people across Idaho. Roland’s excitement for the weather was contagious.”

According to the station, Steadham was a husband, father of six and grandfather. He was also an experienced pilot who “operated a small aircraft out of Emmett.”

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On Tuesday, around 10:58 a.m. local time, officials responded to a report of a plane crash near Payette River, just west of Montour, Idaho, the Gem County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

A preliminary investigation revealed that “a small plane clipped a power line and crashed upon the ice in the river.” Two male occupants were on board and were fatally injured, officials said. The crash took out power in the area, which crew members worked on fixing as soon as the scene was secure. Officials did not reveal who was flying the plane at the time of the incident.

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In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a small aircraft carrying two people crashed into a frozen river near Emmett. “The FAA and [the National Transportation Safety Board] will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates,” the agency said.

An investigator for the NTSB is expected to arrive at the scene on Wednesday, Jan. 28, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed to PEOPLE.

The Gem County Coroner was unable to share information about the crash, and the Gem County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.

Steadham attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University before beginning his career as a meteorologist in 1995, according to his LinkedIn page. During his more than 30-year career, he worked at stations in Florida, Utah and Idaho.

TV Meteorologist Roland Steadham killed in Idaho plane crash

The wreckage from the plane crash in Idaho on Jan. 27.Idaho News 6/YouTube

He was passionate about his profession and trained many fellow meteorologists, according to KBOI. Steadham also loved flying — “a hobby he enjoyed and often would share stories about local pilots and their accomplishments.”

His main priority, however, was his family. “Roland often talked about his wife, Erin, and his six children and grandchildren,” KBOI said. “In recent years, he and his family have enjoyed their time kayaking throughout Idaho and spending time together grilling food in their backyard.”

TV Meteorologist Roland Steadham killed in Idaho plane crash

Roland Steadham.Roland Steadham/Facebook

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The grandfather often spoke about his kids and grandkids, including their “love for life” and accomplishments. “All of us will remember him talking with great love for Erin,” the station continued. “Rarely did he have a conversation without sharing about his love for his family.”

The weatherman’s colleagues offered their condolences to his “family, friends, and flying community.” The station added, “We also send our condolences to the family of the other person who died in the plane crash today.”

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