Affaire Amelia Earhart – Disappearance and Aviation Milestones
Amelia Earhart, born 24 July 1897, became a pioneering aviator, earning the first female Atlantic passenger crossing in 1928 and the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1932. While attempting a global circumnavigation, she disappeared over the Pacific on 2 July 1937 and was declared dead in 1939.
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We honor Amelia Earhart’s pioneering spirit and remember her enduring legacy in aviation.
Timeline
- 24 July 1897 — Birth in Atchison, Kansas.
- 28 December 1920 — Took first passenger flight, sparking her desire to fly.
- 3 January 1921 — Had first flying lesson with instructor Neta Snook.
- 22 October 1922 — Set a female altitude record of 14,000 ft.
- 17 June 1928 — Departed Newfoundland for transatlantic flight aboard Friendship.
- 19 June 1928 — Landed in Burry Port, Wales, completing first female Atlantic crossing.
- 2 July 1937 — Disappeared over the Pacific while attempting a world circumnavigation.
- 5 January 1939 — Declared legally dead.
Frequently asked questions
When was Amelia Earhart born?
She was born on 24 July 1897 in Atchison, Kansas.
What were Earhart’s major aviation achievements?
She was the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic in 1928, set a female altitude record in 1922, earned the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight by a woman in 1932, and helped found the Ninety‑Nines.
How did Amelia Earhart become involved in the 1928 transatlantic flight?
Sponsor Amy Phipps Guest sought a qualified woman; publicist George Putnam and Admiral Belknap directed her to Earhart, who accepted the role of commander and passenger on the Fokker F.VIIb ‘Friendship.’
What happened during the 1928 transatlantic crossing?
After multiple take‑off attempts, Friendship left Newfoundland on 17 June 1928, flew eastward despite fog and a failed radio, and landed in the Burry Estuary, Wales, on 19 June 1928, making Earhart the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air.
When was Amelia Earhart declared dead?
A court declared her dead on 5 January 1939.
Myths and evidence
- Earhart was the first woman to cross the Atlantic as a passenger in 1928. FAIT
The excerpt confirms she was the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic by airplane in 1928. - She described herself as "just baggage, like a sack of potatoes" during the 1928 flight. TÉMOIGNAGE
Earhart is quoted saying she was "just baggage, like a sack of potatoes" after the landing in Wales. - Earhart disappeared over the Pacific while attempting a world‑circumnavigation. FAIT
The excerpt states she disappeared over the Pacific on 2 July 1937 during a circumnavigation attempt.
Primary sources and references
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