Divers Will Search for Earhart Plane in 2026
A research team will investigate a potential aircraft anomaly near Nikumaroro beginning in October 2026.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Space
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Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute plan an October 2026 expedition to locate the remains of Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Electra 10-E. The project aims to determine if a visual anomaly, known as the Taraia Object, found in a Pacific lagoon on Nikumaroro represents the lost aircraft.
Why it matters
This mission seeks to resolve the fate of the Lockheed Electra 10-E that disappeared on July 2, 1937, while Earhart was attempting a global flight. Identifying the origin of the Taraia Object would provide a definitive answer regarding the aircraft's final location near its intended stop at Howland Island.
The expedition team comprises approximately 15 members who will focus on identifying the Taraia Object. The mission's success depends on evaluating whether this lagoon anomaly matches the known structural characteristics of the Lockheed Electra 10-E.
The players
Purdue University
A major research institution that serves as a primary sponsor for this archaeological expedition.
Archaeological Legacy Institute
An organization focused on the preservation and study of archaeological history through advanced investigation.
Marc Hagle
A Winter Park, Florida resident and scuba diver participating in the planned underwater search.
The details
The research team plans to conduct an underwater inspection of the Taraia Object, a visual anomaly located in a lagoon on Nikumaroro. Marc Hagle will participate as a scuba diver to perform the manual examination of the submerged site. This field work aims to confirm if the object is wreckage from the Lockheed Electra 10-E, which has been missing since July 1937.
Timeline
July 2, 1937: Amelia Earhart's aircraft disappeared during her flight.
September 18, 2026: Marc Hagle discussed details of the upcoming mission in an interview.
October 2026: The expedition team is scheduled to embark for the Pacific site.
The Tech Race
This project continues the decades-long search for the Lockheed Electra 10-E, attempting to verify a specific target that has remained unidentified in regional records. The expedition marks a departure from remote sensing by utilizing human divers to confirm the physical nature of the submerged anomaly.
The public can expect initial findings following the team's arrival at the site in October 2026. Data regarding the identity of the Taraia Object will likely be released by the project leads once the underwater survey is concluded.
The takeaway
This expedition highlights the ongoing reliance on human-led exploration to verify anomalies detected in remote regions. Observers should track updates following the team's October 2026 departure for confirmation of the object's identity.
Further reading
For broader updates on modern archaeological survey methods, visit the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WESH.
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