The opportunity to fly a specific aircraft and then share the story with the public is one of the perks of being a media personality and a pilot.
Washington State-based CubCrafters, a manufacturer of tailwheel-equipped aircraft synonymous with backcountry flying, knows this and has created a media evaluation program that allows select members of the aviation media community temporary use of company-owned aircraft for independent evaluation, review and content creation.
One of the pilots participating in the program is Roland Steadham, chief meteorologist for KBOI-TV in Boise, Idaho. On January 27, Steadham and passenger Dallin Laufenberg were killed in a crash while piloting a CCX-1865 Carbon Cub FX (N126C) in the Payette River remote area of Black Canyon in Gem County. The small plane clipped power lines just before 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday, according to the Gem County Sheriff’s Office.
Steadham has been flying the aircraft since December 2025, according to CubCrafters.
“Participation in each project begins with a detailed review of aircraft systems, operational considerations, and discussions of our expectations for conservative and safe aircraft operation,” 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, amount, or timing of content.”
Brad Damm, vice president of CubCrafters, said in a press 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 this incident, continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, and evaluate the future of the program,” Damm said. “Safety has been, and will continue to be, our top priority. We offer our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragic event.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
Stedham is a married father of six and has several grandchildren, according to his TV colleagues. He was known in Idaho’s Treasure Valley as an avid outdoorsman and an accomplished pilot.
About the program
Pilots participating in the media evaluation program have several weeks to fly their selected aircraft in real-world conditions. Pilots must meet a total flight experience requirement of 1,000 hours and a minimum of 500 hours of tailwheel experience in similar types of aircraft.
Participants will not receive any compensation for use of the aircraft and must pay their own expenses.
