Maputo — The family of the pilots of a plane that went missing over central Mozambique on 28 October have offered a reward for information leading to the crash site.

Bryan Simms and his son Robert disappeared while flying a Baron 58 light aircraft from Uganda to South Africa.

The plane was returning to South Africa after carrying out work for the Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies.

According to the family, the plane had a full fuel tank when it developed engine trouble after flying over the western Mozambican province of Tete.

A joint aerial search by the Mozambican and South African authorities involving five aircraft was suspended on 3 November. That search was assisted by the South African Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Organisation HAMNET.

Friends and the family of the pilots are continuing to search for the aircraft, focussing on the Gorongosa area in Sofala province. They are being supported by the staff of the Gorongosa National Park. It is thought that the plane may have attempted an emergency landing in Gorongosa.

Family friend Britt Stevens told AIM that a reward of five thousand US dollars has been offered to any villager who finds the plane.

Stevens stressed that “people must not attempt to go on their own to Mozambique to have a chance at the reward money”.

The search has been narrowed down to a specific area, and Stevens told AIM that “the response from the public has been absolutely phenomenal”.