Modern Mysteries

Amelia Earhart Nikumaroro expedition team shares update

By T.K. Randall
November 1, 2025 ·  11 comments

Image: Amelia Earhart (file photo)
Credit: Library of Congress, Harris & Ewing Collection, LC-DIG-hec-40747 Earlier this year, we reported on an upcoming expedition to the remote Pacific island of Nikumaroro where a tantalizing satellite image appears to show the wreckage of a plane - possibly that of famed aviator Amelia Earthart who vanished without a trace 88 years ago.

One popular theory is that Earhart, along with her navigator Fred Noonan, had landed on the island and had survived for several days awaiting rescue before succumbing to hunger and thirst.

In a renewed effort to confirm this once and for all, a 15-person expedition team had been set to fly out on October 30th to Majuro in the Marshall Islands before setting sail by boat for Nikumaroro where they planned to spend over two weeks exploring and looking for clues.

"Finding Amelia Earhart's Electra aircraft would be the discovery of a lifetime," said expedition member Richard Pettigrew, executive director of the Archaeological Legacy Institute (ALI)."Confirming the plane wreckage there would be the smoking-gun proof."

Unfortunately, however, it looks as though the expedition will have to wait until next year due to delays securing the necessary permits and the encroaching cyclone season.

"We've overcome other challenges to this project over the past four years, and we will get past this one, too," said Pettigrew.

"Because of the compelling evidence we have in front of us, we have to go to Nikumaroro and get a close look at the Taraia Object. Rest assured that we will do just that, so stay tuned!"

"We will have a revised project schedule worked out soon."

Source: CBS News | Comments (11)

Tags: Amelia, Earhart