5 Aug 2014

Boy finds plane beacon in American Samoa

2:21 pm on 5 August 2014

A personal locator beacon belonging to a plane that crashed in waters off American Samoa has been found by a young boy.

The device was registered with the crew of the plane which crashed two weeks ago killing 17-year-old Haris Suleman.

Cyrus Suleman, brother of 17-year-old pilot Haris Suleman about to toss a wreath at sea, in honor of his brother and still missing father, Babar Suleman.

Cyrus Suleman, brother of 17-year-old pilot Haris Suleman about to toss a wreath at sea, in honor of his brother and still missing father, Babar Suleman. Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller

His body has been recovered but his father is still missing.

Authorities say the beacon was activated yesterday, and the GPS coordinates put the device at the shoreline village of Lauli'i.

Our correspondent, Fili Sagapoluetele, says the family of a young boy alerted authorities this morning, saying their child had taken the beacon home after spotting an antenna in a torn up back-pack.

"It's just one piece of the puzzle, while still missing is the remains of the 58-year-old Father Babar Suleman. And local officials are saying that they are looking at conducting another search today, depending on conditions on American Samoa."

Fili Sagapoluetele says the device will be tagged and placed in the Department of Safety's evidence room, along with other items found from the plane.