Amelia Earhart on the nose of her Lockheed Electra, March 12, 1937. Photo from Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Palmer Putnam Collection of Amelia Earhart Papers and the Amelia Earhart at Purdue collection.

News Release

WEST LAFAYETTE — A research expedition co-led by Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute to search for Amelia Earhart’s lost aircraft has been postponed until 2026 due to pending government approvals and seasonal weather conditions.

The Taraia Object Expedition was originally scheduled to depart next month from Majuro in the Marshall Islands for Nikumaroro Island in the Republic of Kiribati.

The team is awaiting additional clearance from Kiribati before launching its search for what may be Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10E, spotted as a visual anomaly in 2020 satellite imagery.

ALI Executive Director Richard Pettigrew said the delay, though disappointing, will allow the team more time to refine logistics and strengthen collaboration with the Kiribati government. Purdue officials added that the upcoming South Pacific cyclone season made it unsafe to begin travel this year.