What Was Amelia Earhart's Plane
Amelia Earhart's plane was a Lockheed Electra 10E, a twin-engine, all-metal monoplane designed for passenger and mail transport. The aircraft was modified for long-range exploration with extra fuel tanks and updated navigation equipment. The plane was central to her attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world in 1937. Learn more about the Lockheed Electra 10E on Forbes.
Lockheed Electra 10E Specifications
The Lockheed Electra 10E had a wingspan of 55 feet and was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engines. It had a cruising speed of about 164 miles per hour and a range of roughly 800 miles without auxiliary tanks. The aircraft was registered as NR16020 and carried modifications for extended flight endurance. Read more about Amelia Earhart's aircraft on Britannica.
The 1937 Around-the-World Flight
In June 1937, Earhart departed Miami in her Lockheed Electra 10E on an ambitious round-the-world flight attempt. The route covered approximately 29,000 miles, with planned stops across South America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The flight was supported by a ground crew and used celestial and radio navigation techniques of the era. National Geographic details the 1937 flight plan.
Disappearance Over the Pacific
On July 2, 1937, Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared near Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean. The Lockheed Electra 10E ran out of fuel while attempting to locate the small island. Search efforts by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard failed to find the aircraft or its crew. History.com provides details on the search operations.
Legacy and Modern Searches
The Lockheed Electra 10E remains one of the most studied aircraft in aviation history. Numerous expeditions have searched for wreckage near Nikumaroro Island and other Pacific locations. Modern technology, including sonar and underwater drones, has been deployed in recent searches. Teslarati covers modern drone search efforts.
Ongoing Research and Findings
Organizations like The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery continue to investigate the disappearance. Artifacts and sonar anomalies have been documented, but no confirmed wreckage of the Electra has been recovered. The search for definitive answers remains active, with new data analyzed annually. SEC filings for aviation research grants and related disclosures.