West Lafayette, Ind. —An eagerly anticipated expedition to search for Amelia Earhart’s long-lost plane has been postponed until next year, Purdue University announced Monday, casting a somber note over efforts to resolve one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.
The mission, which had been planned for a remote Pacific island believed to be linked to Earhart’s final flight, was originally set to depart later this year. University officials cited logistical challenges and unforeseen technical issues as reasons for the delay, though they reaffirmed their commitment to the project.
“It’s heartbreaking to delay something that means so much to so many,” said Dr. Karen Holt, director of Purdue’s Earhart Legacy Project. “But safety, preparation, and precision must come first. Amelia herself would have understood that.”
The search aims to uncover evidence of Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10E, which disappeared in 1937 as she attempted to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by air. Despite decades of speculation, wreckage of the aircraft has never been conclusively identified.
For Purdue, where Earhart once served as a career counselor and inspiration to generations of women in aviation, the delay is especially poignant. Plans for the expedition have drawn widespread attention from historians, engineers, and the public alike, many of whom had hoped this mission would finally bring closure to an 88-year-old mystery.
“We know this postponement will disappoint those following the project,” the university’s statement read. “But our determination remains unwavering. Amelia’s story continues to inspire our pursuit of discovery and courage.”
The expedition team now expects to resume preparations in early 2026, with a tentative departure date to be announced once conditions allow.