25 Jul 2014

Plane crash search effort continues in American Samoa

7:18 am on 25 July 2014

The search effort following a plane crash near American Samoa began again at daylight this morning.

Authorities recovered the remains of 17-year old Haris Suleman, but his father, Babar Suleman, remains missing after their single-engine aircraft crashed into the sea not long after taking off from Pago Pago airport on Tuesday night.

According to the head of the Marine Patrol unit of the Department of Public Safety, Tulele Laolagi, the search area for Mr. Suleman stretches from Aunuu to the western end of the island.

He says the search yesterday found suspected plane wreckage, but this can't be confirmed until it's been analysed by federal investigators.

Mr Suleman and his son were attempting to set a record for completing a round the world trip in a single engine plane in 30 days.