Search for missing pilot Bob Bramley scaled back as debris found on sea floor
Northern Territory police divers have located debris on the sea floor in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria believed to be part of the light aircraft that crashed earlier this week. The pilot, 23-year-old Tasmanian Bob Bramley, remains unaccounted for and is believed to have died in the crash, police said.
The discovery was made as the search entered its fourth day, with police announcing a shift from broad aerial searches to targeted sonar and dive missions. Search mission coordinator Acting Sergeant Nathan Conelius said the decision to scale back aerial searches was made because "the likelihood of locating the pilot through continued broad-area surface and aerial searching is now extremely low."
An NT Police spokesperson said divers located "aircraft debris on the sea floor" including "components believed to form part of the aircraft airframe." Multiple suspected aircraft components were also recovered from the surface across a wide area, consisting mostly of lightweight material such as foam and seat cushioning.
The crash and initial response
The aircraft, a Beechcraft Baron operated by charter company Air Frontier, was on a non-commercial repositioning flight from Gove to Numbulwar when it went missing around midday on Tuesday. Police said a witness on a boat reported seeing the plane crash into the water near Isle Woodah, about 50 kilometres north-west of Alyangula, at approximately 11:40am.
The aircraft was due to land at the remote Indigenous community of Numbulwar at 11.50am but never arrived. Air Frontier confirmed the pilot was the sole occupant and said the family had been contacted.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified and has initiated an investigation, while Air Frontier grounded all five of its Beechcraft Baron aircraft as a precautionary measure pending advice from authorities.
A search led by NT Police began after the witness report, involving police boats, Aboriginal ranger crews, a helicopter and a police plane. An Australian Maritime Safety Authority search and rescue jet from Cairns circled the crash area on Tuesday afternoon, and CareFlight aircraft also took part. Police divers were deployed to search the sea floor near the crash site.
A life remembered
Mr Bramley, a passionate aviator and youth suicide prevention advocate, was widely remembered in the days following the crash. At the age of 16, after almost losing two close friends to suicide attempts, he became an advocate for suicide prevention and founded the initiative Surviving Turbulence.
In 2019, he completed a 15,000-kilometre, 40-stop solo journey around Australia, raising more than $20,000 for Beyond Blue. In 2021, he was nominated for Young Australian of the Year and was featured in an episode of Australian Story.
His family released a statement paying tribute to him, saying: "There are no words, deeds or silver linings that make this any easier, but our beloved Bob is gone." They described him as a courageous individual who inspired those around him with his infectious enthusiasm and a dreamer who never let fear or pessimists stop him from reaching his goals.
His high school history teacher and mentor, Lesley Jolly, recalled the moment Mr Bramley first shared his ambition to fly around Australia solo. Devonport Aero Club president Terry Travers said: "The important thing is the records fall, fame is fleeting, but the difference you make in someone's life will last their lifetime."
Search challenges and outlook
The search has been complicated by the remoteness of the location and difficult conditions. Acting Sergeant Conelius noted there was no accurate weather data in the area, and conditions on the water were worse than those forecast online. He said the location had also prevented additional crew members from accessing the site.
NT Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said authorities believed the pilot died in the crash, but they had yet to locate a body. Police divers would conduct searches of the sea floor throughout Thursday, with full search and recovery efforts expected to be suspended following completion of the day's taskings, subject to the results of operations.
The local Groote Eylandt Indigenous ranger group, the Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers, has been assisting alongside police divers. Police said they continue to liaise closely with the pilot's family, keeping them informed of developments and the ongoing search effort. "Our thoughts remain with the pilot's family and loved ones during what continues to be an incredibly difficult time," a police spokesperson said.