Bulldozer clearing path to plane wreck

Mozambican authorities had to use a bulldozer to pave a way to the burnt-out wreck of an aircraft, presumed to be that of a missing South African father and son.

The wreck of an aircraft was found at a remote area near Moia in Mozambique by villagers who alerted authorities after hearing a radio report about the two missing men.

“The site is extremely difficult to identify, even from the air,” Richard Maier, a pilot who previously headed up a search for the two, told News24.

“The only part of the aircraft that was identifiable was a propeller.”

The bodies of two people were seen at the burn-out wreck, but still had to be identified.

Bryan Simms, 60, of Midrand, and his son, Rob, 22, were last heard from on 28 October 2012, when their light aircraft – reportedly a small Baron 55 – went missing over Mozambique’s vast province of Tete en route to Lanseria airport, north of Johannesburg.

Shortly before the plane went missing, Bryan said in a radio message that he had problems with one of the engines.

You are both as free as a bird, you are together

Left behind

The Simms family said in a statement that they received news that a plane wreck was found in Mozambique by a villager, and that neither occupants survived.

“We are awaiting positive legal identification. The outpouring of support, hope and love from you all has helped to sustain us,” a post on a Facebook page dedicated to the search said.

Bryan’s wife Lillian said in a post: “Bryan and Rob died doing what they loved best,”

“You are both as free as a bird, you are together. You have left a massive void in our lives but you live in our hearts and minds forever.”