Arabic version: شرطة الإقليم الشمالي تعلّق البحث عن الطيار بوب براملي

According to ABC News, NT Police have suspended their search for 23-year-old pilot Bob Bramley following an extensive multi-day operation in waters off Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Mr Bramley remains unaccounted for and is believed to have died after his aircraft went down on Tuesday.

Mr Bramley was believed to be the sole occupant of a small Air Frontier charter plane that reportedly crashed in Angurugu waters. Air Frontier said he had been conducting a non-commercial repositioning flight from Gove to Numbulwar when the incident occurred.

The search involved air, marine and specialist dive resources, with support from the Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers. Authorities shifted their focus on the fourth day from aerial activity to sonar searches and targeted dives. Police divers found pieces believed to be aircraft wreckage on the sea floor.

NT Police said the search and recovery operation was called off after careful consideration of available information. The search mission coordinator said every reasonable option had been considered and undertaken. Police will continue assisting the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is leading the investigation. The cause of the crash has not been confirmed.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said tiger sharks and crocodiles had made the operation particularly difficult. Tributes have been paid to Mr Bramley, a Tasmanian pilot and suicide-prevention advocate who was nominated for Young Australian of the Year in 2021.