Researchers from the United States are close to uncovering the remains of Amelia Earhart’s missing plane near a remote South Pacific island. The effort, led by Steve Schultz from Purdue University and Richard Pettigrew from the Archaeological Legacy Institute, aims to locate Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft.
“We’re focused on the land, searching for artifacts linked to Amelia Earhart,” Pettigrew shared. Schultz noted, “We’re currently in the phase of data collection.” The team is investigating a lagoon off Nikumaroro’s coast, concentrating on the Taraia Object, which appears as a visual anomaly in aerial photos since 1938. First identified in satellite images in 2020, this anomaly prompted the current expedition.
The expedition, consisting of 17 members, spent five days at sea to reach this isolated search area. Despite the remote location, they anticipate confirming within days whether Earhart’s plane has been found. “The next step involves a comprehensive analysis of our gathered data, followed by using a hydraulic dredge to remove sediment,” Pettigrew explained.
Amelia Earhart disappeared on July 2, 1937, while attempting a historic flight around the equator. She and her navigator, Fred Noonan, vanished 22,000 miles into their journey. Nikumaroro, part of Kiribati, lies about 400 miles southeast of Howland Island, the final intended destination. This disappearance remains a major historical mystery.
“We’re the first to assemble such a plan,” Pettigrew stated. “It’s a completely new approach.”