A 17-person expedition backed by Purdue University reached Nikumaroro Island on Monday to investigate a satellite imagery anomaly that researchers believe could be Amelia Earhart's missing Lockheed Electra.
The team arrived after a five-day Pacific Ocean journey to examine clues tied to the Nikumaroro Hypothesis, according to Purdue University.
The expedition arrived shortly after sunset, delaying fieldwork until morning.
The crew moved its vessel to the island's eastern side for calmer waters while preparing operations on shore.
First Day Ashore and Staging Plans
During the first day ashore, Purdue University said the team focused on moving equipment, clearing vegetation and building staging areas near the beach and south side of the lagoon.
Purdue University also outlined plans to divide the crew into two groups.
One group would use smaller boats through the Tatiman Passage to reach the lagoon, while another would create a jungle trail connecting the landing area to the southern lagoon area.
The university said staging locations would support the initial work before attention shifted to the Taraia Peninsula on Wednesday.
The team is operating 16 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time.
Amelia Earhart disappeared on July 2, 1937, with navigator Fred Noonan during a flight attempt to circumnavigate the globe after departing Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island.
Earhart was 39 years old at the time.
Expedition leader Rick Pettigrew said the inspection could help address one of aviation history's longest-running mysteries.
Purdue has a historic connection to Earhart through her work as a career counselor and adviser to women students and its support for financing her Lockheed Electra.
"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," said Rick Pettigrew, Expedition Leader.
Purdue became involved in the latest search after Pettigrew approached the Purdue Research Foundation in February 2025.
The university said any future recovery work would require proper permissions.
"The eventual curation of the wreckage has been the subject of discussions with [the Republic of] Kiribati, and although nothing has been finalized, ALI [the Archaeological Legacy Institute] and the Purdue Research Foundation share a dream of returning the plane to Purdue to be displayed, consistent with Amelia's original wishes," said Trevor Peters, Purdue spokesperson.
