The search for missing Tasmanian pilot Bob Bramley in the Gulf of Carpentaria has been called off after days of extensive efforts across air, sea and underwater operations.
NT Police confirmed the search and recovery operation was suspended on Saturday following what it described as “careful consideration of all available information”.
Robert “Bob” Bramley, 23, from Kindred near Devonport, was the sole occupant of an Air Frontier plane that crashed into the Gulf of Carpentaria near Groote Eylandt on August 25.
The company said he was undertaking a “non-commercial repositioning flight” from Gove to Numbulwar at the time.
“The search mission coordinator said the decision was made following an extensive multi-day search involving air, marine and specialist dive resources,” NT Police said in a statement to the ABC.
The coordinator said “every reasonable search option” had been “considered and undertaken” by authorities.
Police divers found pieces of aircraft debris on the sea floor earlier in the week, but the cause of the crash has not been confirmed.
NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said the presence of “tiger sharks and crocs” had made the search especially difficult.
Authorities were supported throughout the week by the local Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers.
By the fourth day, aerial searches were scaled back in favour of sonar searches and targeted dive missions.
NT Police said it would continue to assist lead investigators at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
His family said they were heartbroken but wanted to remember the ideals he championed.
“There are no words, deeds or silver linings that make this any easier, but our beloved Bob is gone,” they said.
They described him as “a beacon of hope” and a “dreamer who never let fear, problems or pessimists stop him from reaching his goals”.
At 16, Bramley circumnavigated Australia solo in a small plane to raise awareness of youth suicide prevention, speaking to dozens of communities along the way.
He went on to found the mental health initiative Surviving Turbulence and was nominated for Young Australian of the Year in 2021.
Bramley earned his commercial pilot licence and received his gold wings in 2024 before joining the aviation industry the following year.
“We celebrate a life lived to the fullest. There will never be another Bob Bramley,” his family said.
Air Frontier said it was “deeply saddened” by the incident and had grounded all its Beechcraft Baron aircraft as a precaution.
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