PAGO PAGO: Nearly a hundred people gathered on a ferry off the coast of American Samoa during a memorial service honouring Haris Suleman and his father Babar Suleman, after their plane crashed during an attempt to circumnavigate the world.

The body of 17-year-old was found shortly after his plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, after departing from Pago Pago.

On Sunday, US Coast Guard officials stated that they were suspending the search for 58-year-old Babar Suleman.

Haris had hoped to set the record for the fastest circumnavigation around the world, in a single-engine airplane with the youngest pilot in command.

His journey also was a fundraiser to help build schools in his father's native Pakistan.

“Such challenges of circumnavigating the world, an enormous contribution to build schools, are charities of those with great hearts, and unconditional love to society,” said American Samoa Lt Gov Lemanu Peleti Mauga during the memorial service.

Among the attendees were three members of the Suleman family.

The memorial service and a wreath-laying were held at the site where local authorities believed the plane crashed.

Also read: Captain Haris Suleman: Tribute to a young hero

Nabel Raazi, a family friend, spoke on behalf of the family. He said the last few days had been a terrible, harrowing experience for them, as they are still in shock. "It will take a long time of grieving to overcome this,” he said.

He also mentioned that the the family is still hopeful that Babar Suleman can still be found.

Rear Admiral Cari Thomas said in a statement Sunday that the decision to suspend the search for Babar Suleman was “difficult".

Wreckage from the plane was found by the US Coast Guard on Thursday.

Babar Suleman had long dreamed of flying around the world.

He and his son left Indiana on June 19 and were expected to arrive back in the US on Saturday.