Earhart Exhibit Examines Various Theories

As the mystery continues surrounding the disappearance of Amelia Earhart seven decades ago, The 99s Museum of Women Pilots has unveiled a new Earhart exhibit that includes a compilation of significant theories that have developed during those 70 years.

Through the contributions of David Bowman, author of Legerdemain - Deceit, Misdirection and Political Sleight of Hand in the Disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the exhibit concludes with a synopsis of several theories that have added to the mystery more than in solving it.

The 99s takes no position on the disappearance of their first president, but according to current President Patricia Prentiss, "An exhibit on Amelia would be incomplete without addressing the one question that everyone asks - what do you think happened." Like Bowman's book, the exhibit does not endorse any theory, instead reviewing the elements of each. Prentiss adds, "Ultimately, it's up to the readers to answer that question for themselves."

The official US government position is that Earhart ran out of gas and crashed into the sea about 40 miles from her destination, Howland Island. Proponents maintain that stronger-than-forecast headwinds led to higher fuel consumption, and near Howland Island she ran out of fuel and crashed into the sea, drowning both she and navigator Fred Noonan. However, radio messages were heard for several days after her disappearance, discrediting this official government version.

There is significant evidence to indicate that Earhart either ditched or was forced down in the Marshall Islands but was rescued by the Japanese and either died in custody or was executed on the island of Saipan. Many US soldiers on Saipan after the end of World War II reported seeing Earhart's Lockheed Electra and some personal items, and one claims to have been shown Earhart's grave though the site was never excavated. Interestingly, there is credible evidence that the Office of Naval Intelligence placed one soldier-turned-researcher under surveillance during his 1961 visit to Earhart's sister.

Another theory concludes that through navigational error, Earhart overshot Howland Island and continued southeast to Gardner Island, now called Nikumaroro Island, and that she ditched on the north shore of the island, broadcasting SOS messages for several days until the Electra was washed into deep water by a storm. Earhart and Noonan, supplies exhausted, perished from heat, thirst and starvation. Multiple expeditions to Nikumaroro have not uncovered any hard evidence and unlike the Marshall Island scenario, there are no witness statements to validate these claims.

Yet another researcher claims Earhart bypassed Howland Island in favor of Hull Island, but she was bracketed by Japanese fighters which forced her down near Sidney Island where she was picked up and held in captivity until the end of WWII. The originator of this theory claims to have befriended Earhart who told him that she was on a mission for the government. He reported seeing Earhart's plane fitted with ping-pong balls for increased buoyancy, to have heard Earhart's post-loss radio messages, and to have met with Earhart, who was living under the assumed name of Irene Bolam a short while before her death in 1982. While there are indications from various sources that Earhart was flying a mission for the government, there is no corroboration of the content of the reported radio transmissions.

One of the more controversial theories follows that Earhart ran out of gas or was forced down, probably in the Marshall Islands near Mili Atoll and that she was later taken to Saipan, Japan or China. At this point though, the theory develops its own identity, claiming that Earhart survived her captivity and was repatriated to the United States at the end of World War II. A preponderance of circumstantial evidence, including recently commissioned forensic studies and interviews with family members, maintains that Earhart assumed the identity of an old friend, Irene Bolam, but no hard evidence has been uncovered.

Research isn't confined to the United States. From Australia, one theory proposes that Earhart flew back in the direction from which she came and crashed on the island of New Britain, perishing with Noonan. What gives this theory credence is an Australian Army patrol map, discovered in 1993, on which was written a partial engine model number and a possible construction number, both of which match Earhart's Electra. However, Earhart would not have had enough fuel to have flown nearly to Howland Island then back almost to New Guinea. After several expeditions, no aircraft wreckage has been found.

And so the mystery continues. Bowman has now written a second edition of Legerdemain which contains exclusive new disclosures regarding Earhart's fate. It is scheduled to be launched at the Amelia Earhart Festival in Atchison, KS, where The 99s also owns and operates The Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum.

The 99s is the world's oldest organization for women pilots with chapters and sections around the world.

FMI: www.ninety-nines.org, www.museumofwomenpilots.com, www.sagabooks.net