Sonar scans reveal a plane-shaped object deep in the Pacific, renewing hope of solving Earhart’s mystery.
Nearly nine decades after Amelia Earhart vanished during her 1937 flight around the world, a new underwater discovery may offer the most promising lead yet. Deep-sea sonar scans captured by marine exploration company Deep Sea Vision show what appears to be a plane-shaped object resting nearly 5,000 meters below the Pacific Ocean’s surface. The find lies west of Howland Island—the same area where Earhart was last heard from—renewing global hopes that her long-lost Lockheed Electra may finally be found.
1. The Discovery Was Made by Deep Sea Vision
The latest clue in the Amelia Earhart mystery came from Deep Sea Vision, a South Carolina–based ocean exploration company founded by pilot and engineer Tony Romeo. In late 2023, the team used high-resolution sonar imaging to scan nearly 13,000 square kilometers of seafloor in the Pacific Ocean, focusing on the region around Howland Island, where Earhart’s plane disappeared in 1937.
Among the data collected, one sonar image immediately stood out—a plane-shaped object lying nearly 5,000 meters below the surface. Its discovery has sparked renewed excitement among historians and aviation experts who have long searched for traces of Earhart’s final flight.
2. The Object Closely Matches the Shape of Earhart’s Electra
The sonar image revealed an object about 38 feet long with wings extending roughly 55 feet—measurements consistent with the dimensions of Earhart’s Lockheed Model 10-E Electra. The distinct twin-engine configuration and tail section seen in the sonar scan further support the idea that the object could be an aircraft of similar design.
Researchers say that while the resemblance is striking, sonar data can be deceiving due to shadowing and distortion. Only a physical inspection with submersible cameras or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) can confirm whether the structure is indeed a plane and, if so, whether it is Earhart’s lost Electra.
3. The Location Aligns with Earhart’s Final Flight Path
The object was detected about 100 miles west of Howland Island, a position consistent with her intended route from Lae, Papua New Guinea, to Howland—one of the longest and most dangerous legs of her round-the-world journey. Earhart’s last confirmed radio transmissions placed her in that general vicinity before all contact was lost.
This alignment gives the find additional credibility compared with earlier claims made thousands of miles away. The area has long been considered the most plausible crash zone, as strong currents and winds could have forced her slightly off course before the plane ran out of fuel.
4. Sonar Imaging Made the Find Possible
Deep Sea Vision used a high-performance Hugin autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) equipped with synthetic aperture sonar—one of the most advanced ocean mapping systems available. The device can capture extremely detailed images of objects on the seafloor, even several miles below the surface.
The company spent over three months scanning the area, operating continuously day and night. The AUV followed preprogrammed grid patterns, producing tens of thousands of sonar returns. It was only after reviewing months of data that researchers spotted a shape unmistakably resembling an aircraft.
5. Physical Confirmation Is Still Needed
Despite the excitement, experts emphasize that sonar data alone cannot prove the wreck’s identity. The next step would involve deploying a deep-sea remotely operated vehicle capable of descending to 5,000 meters to capture high-resolution photographs and video.
Such missions are complex and expensive, often costing millions of dollars. If confirmed, however, this would not only locate Earhart’s plane but also provide an unparalleled opportunity to study one of aviation’s greatest mysteries firsthand. Discussions for a follow-up expedition are already underway.
6. Amelia Earhart’s Final Flight Was Her Most Ambitious
Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared on July 2, 1937, while attempting to circumnavigate the globe along the equator—a distance of more than 29,000 miles. Their Lockheed Electra took off from Lae, Papua New Guinea, on what was meant to be the second-to-last leg of the journey.
They were headed toward Howland Island, a tiny, isolated target in the central Pacific. Despite clear weather, they struggled with navigation and fuel estimates, and their last radio message—“We are running north and south”—suggested they couldn’t find the island. They were never heard from again.
7. Decades of Search Efforts Have Yielded Few Results
Since 1937, dozens of expeditions have searched the Pacific for Earhart’s plane, focusing on areas near Howland Island and the remote Nikumaroro atoll, formerly known as Gardner Island. Some missions have uncovered debris or artifacts, but none have been definitively linked to Earhart’s aircraft.
The Deep Sea Vision discovery stands out because it’s located in the area most consistent with her known flight path. Unlike previous finds based on anecdotal evidence or speculative theories, this one relies on concrete sonar data collected with cutting-edge technology.
8. The Depth of the Find Makes Recovery Difficult
The object lies nearly 5,000 meters (about 16,400 feet) below the ocean’s surface, well beyond the reach of most submersibles. The extreme pressure and darkness at that depth make exploration technically challenging and prohibitively expensive.
Nonetheless, deep-sea exploration technology has advanced rapidly. New ROVs and autonomous systems are capable of operating safely at such depths, making a future visual confirmation possible. Experts say that if the object is indeed the Electra, recovery might still be impossible, but documentation would be invaluable.
9. The Discovery Has Sparked Global Interest
Once the sonar images were released publicly in early 2024, they quickly spread worldwide, reigniting fascination with Amelia Earhart’s disappearance. News outlets, historians, and aviation enthusiasts have all weighed in on the possibility that the decades-long mystery may finally be nearing resolution.
Even NASA scientists and oceanographers have commented on the quality of the data, calling the find “intriguing and scientifically credible.” While cautious optimism prevails, researchers stress that proof must come through visual confirmation, not speculation.
10. Experts Urge Patience and Scientific Rigor
Marine archaeologists and aviation historians caution against jumping to conclusions. Sonar images can sometimes resemble familiar shapes due to geological formations or even lost shipping debris. Past “discoveries” of Earhart’s plane have often turned out to be unrelated wrecks.
For now, the Deep Sea Vision team is sharing its data with independent analysts and preparing a peer-reviewed report. Experts hope that transparency and careful study will separate science from sensationalism, ensuring any claim of discovery is supported by solid evidence.
11. Why Amelia Earhart Still Captures the World’s Imagination
Amelia Earhart’s disappearance remains one of history’s most enduring mysteries, symbolizing both the promise and peril of human exploration. As the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and a pioneer of aviation equality, her story continues to inspire generations.
Each new lead renews public fascination with her courage, ambition, and tragic fate. Whether this deep-sea discovery proves to be her plane or not, it underscores the ongoing human drive to explore, understand, and solve the mysteries that have captured imaginations for nearly a century.