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NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)August 29, 2026Hillsborough

Two Pensacola archaeologists join expedition to locate Amelia Earhart's aircraft

Two maritime archaeologists based in Pensacola will participate in the upcoming Taraia Object Expedition this fall to search for Amelia Earhart's missing plane. The project involves collaboration between the Archaeological Legacy Institute, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)

Why It Matters

This expedition represents a new effort to locate a significant historical artifact involving coordination between private researchers and federal military branches.

Key Facts

  • Two maritime archaeologists from Pensacola are participating in the Taraia Object Expedition.
  • The expedition is scheduled to take place this fall.
  • The primary objective of the expedition is to locate Amelia Earhart's lost plane.
  • Dr. Richard Pettigrew of the Archaeological Legacy Institute is the project leader.
  • The project involves collaboration with U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard personnel and veterans.

Who's Mentioned

organizationPurdue University“Sponsor of the expedition”personWill Wilson“Faculty research associate at UWF”personMichael Krivor“Co-founder of RECON Offshore”other10“Model of the Electra aircraft”personRick Gillespie“Head of TIGHAR”personAmelia Earhart“Subject of the search”personRichard Pettigrew“Executive director of the Archaeological Legacy Institute”personJason Burns“Co-founder of RECON Offshore”organizationUniversity of West Florida“Academic institution involved in the project”personMichael Ashmore“Individual who identified the Taraia Object”organizationU.S. Navy“Collaborating military branch”organizationU.S. Coast Guard“Collaborating military branch”organizationRECON Offshore“Pensacola-based archaeological firm”personFred Noonan“Navigator for Earhart”organizationArchaeological Legacy Institute“Lead organization for the expedition”other16“Number of team members”locationPensacola“Home base for the two participating archaeologists”locationNikumaroro“Island where the search is focused”