Researchers sail to Pacific island to check possible Amelia Earhart wreck
The team wants to inspect the Taraia Object, which they think could be the wreckage of Earhart's plane.
A research team is on its way to Nikumaroro Island in the Pacific Ocean. The team wants to inspect the Taraia Object, which they think could be the wreckage of Earhart's plane.
Amelia Earhart vanished in 1937 while trying to fly around the world. The object was first spotted in satellite images in 2020.
Purdue University says the object was visible in aerial photos dating back to 1938. Some rival explorers doubt the object is a plane at all.
Ric Gillespie, who specialises in recovering historic aircraft wrecks, told Reuters the object looked like a fallen tree. No physical evidence from Earhart's plane has ever been recovered.
- 830-mile trip to Nikumaroro
- Journey
- 2020, in satellite imagery
- First spotted
- Richard Pettigrew, head of ALI
- Expedition lead
- 1937
- Disappearance
Why it mattersIf the object is her plane, it could settle a mystery that has run for decades.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet. Only a confirmed find of her plane would change that.
✓ Claims checked; 1 flagged for review. checked 2 h ago
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