1937 disappearance remains aviation's most enduring mystery
Pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart disappeared in 1937 during Pacific ocean flight attempt.
Event / Science
Amelia Earhart Search Expedition
A 17-person team from Purdue University and Archaeological Legacy Institute arrived at Nikumaroro Island in Kiribati to investigate the Taraia Object, a potential aircraft wreck visible in satellite imagery since 2020. The expedition will use magnetometers, sonar, hydroprobes, and hydraulic dredging to determine if the wreck belongs to Earhart's aircraft, which disappeared on July 2, 1937, during an attempt to circumnavigate the equator.
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2026-10-15 to 2026-10-28 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 15 Oct, 06:36 UTC
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What happened
Amelia Earhart disappeared during round-the-world flight in 1937
Amelia Earhart and her flight navigator Fred Noonan disappeared on July 2, 1937, while attempting to become the first person to fly around the equator. They vanished 22,000 miles into their expedition, 400 miles southeast of Howland Island, which was their final destination. Earhart was last seen alive on June 29, 1937, when she and Noonan stopped in Lae, New Guinea, during their circumnavigation attempt.
Amelia Earhart search expedition arrives at Nikumaroro Island
A 17-person joint expedition team from the Archaeological Legacy Institute, Purdue Research Foundation, and Purdue University arrived at Nikumaroro Island on Monday to investigate the Taraia Object, a visual anomaly visible in satellite imagery since 2020. The object, located approximately 10 feet from the lagoon shore, has been in the same location since 1938. The expedition traveled over 830 nautical miles over five days to reach the remote location in Kiribati.
Research team begins investigation of potential Amelia Earhart aircraft wreck
The expedition team led by Steve Schultz from Purdue University and Richard Pettigrew from the Archaeological Legacy Institute began searching the lagoon off Nikumaroro's coast for the Taraia Object, which may be Earhart's Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft. Initial work included clearing overgrowth and establishing a staging area. The team plans to use magnetometers to detect ferrous metals, sonar to detect subsurface objects, a hydroprobe to determine depth and composition, and a water induction dredge to remove sediment for clearer visual inspection.
Expedition team expects definitive answer on aircraft identification within days
Research expedition members stated they expect to have a definitive answer on whether the Taraia Object is Amelia Earhart's aircraft within days. Despite stormy weather hindering efforts on Wednesday, the team expressed confidence in their analysis capabilities. The expedition represents the first time in seven years that a research team has set foot on the island and more than 15 years since anyone entered the Taraia Peninsula.
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Research team begins investigation at island site for aircraft identification
Research team arrives at island to investigate potential aircraft wreck, expects identification results within days.