Newly discovered aerial footage from 1938 indicates potential evidence of Amelia Earhart’s missing Lockheed 10-E Electra. Researchers believe a metallic anomaly, referred to as the “Taria Object,” located in a lagoon on Nikumaroro Island, could be the wreckage of her aircraft. This new information supports ongoing investigations into one of aviation history’s greatest mysteries.
Expedition to Investigate Nikumaroro Anomaly
A team of 15 researchers from Purdue University and the Archeological Legacy Institute (ALI) is set to explore this site, scheduled to depart on November 4. The expedition seeks to closely examine the area where the Taria Object was initially spotted in satellite imagery in 2015. This shape is believed to represent the main body and tail of Earhart’s aircraft.
Historical Context
- Amelia Earhart disappeared on July 2, 1937, during her attempt to circumnavigate the globe.
- She and her navigator, Fred Noonan, left Lae, Papua New Guinea, for Howland Island, but never arrived.
- A 16-day search by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard yielded no evidence of the pair.
- Earhart was officially declared dead on January 5, 1939.
Dr. Richard Pettigrew, ALI’s executive director, expressed that confirming the wreckage would provide significant evidence regarding Earhart’s last known location. Prior findings, collected by The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR), indicate that the duo’s fate is closely tied to Nikumaroro.
Goals and Objectives of the Expedition
The three-week investigation aims to validate or refute the identity of the Taria Object. Purdue University’s senior vice president, Steve Schultz, emphasized the importance of returning the Electra to its original institution after nearly a century of mystery. He stated, “A successful identification would be the first step towards fulfilling Amelia’s original plan.”
Despite numerous expeditions and significant financial investments, efforts to locate Earhart’s remains or her aircraft have been largely unsuccessful. The latest expedition, led by explorer Tony Romero, was also unable to provide conclusive evidence after identifying a sonar image, later confirmed to be a rock formation.
In a recent development, government records related to Earhart’s disappearance are set to be declassified following an announcement from President Trump last month. This could potentially shine new light on circumstances surrounding her fateful flight.
