Modern Mysteries

Crew arrives at Nikumaroro to begin search for Amelia Earhart's plane

By T.K. Randall
October 13, 2026

Image: Amelia Earhart
Credit: Library of Congress, Harris & Ewing Collection, LC-DIG-hec-40747 Last year, we reported on plans for a new expedition to the remote Pacific island of Nikumaroro in an effort to solve the disappearance of famed aviator Amelia Earhart once and for all.

It is here that researchers believe Earthart may have crash-landed her plane back in 1937 and may have even survived for a time while awaiting rescue.

A tantalizing satellite photograph showing an object that looks suspiciously like part of a plane wreckage at the edge of the lagoon on Nikumaroro has long prompted speculation that this theory could indeed be correct and that the island would be the best place to search for signs of her.

While 2025's expedition was ultimately postponed, the endeavour began anew earlier this year and now, at last, the exploration team has arrived at Nikumaroro to begin the search.Over the next five days, they will be investigating the island and, in particular, the mysterious object at the bottom of the lagoon (known as the Taraia Object) that is believed to be the wreckage of a plane.

"It is incredibly rewarding to be this close to completing our inspection of the Taraia Object and potentially solving, at long last, the outstanding mystery of the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan more than 89 years ago," wrote expedition leader Rick Pettigrew.

Could we be about to learn the answer to the Amelia Earhart mystery once and for all ?

Watch this space.

Source: BBC News

Tags: Amelia Earhart