A 1937 U.S. Navy search for Amelia Earhart conducted by USS Colorado and USS Lexington covered nearly 250,000 square miles of the Pacific, while PBY-1 seaplanes conducted daily searches of roughly 25,000 square miles.
July 18, 1937
high
statistical
Area coverage metrics reported in the U.S. Navy's 1937 search operations documentation.
A 1937 U.S. Navy analysis using Lockheed Electra performance charts recalculated the aircraft's fuel endurance at 20 hours and 13 minutes, extending the expected flight time by about 40 minutes compared with the initial U.S. Coast Guard estimate.
July 18, 1937
high
statistical
Performance and endurance recalculation for the Lockheed Electra related to Earhart's planned flight.
A 1937 U.S. Navy report documented seven credible distress signals detected between July 2 and July 6, 1937, and reported that no evidence of aircraft remains was discovered within the search radius.
July 06, 1937
high
observational
Search report conclusions regarding detected signals and lack of confirmed wreckage.
A 1937 U.S. Navy report recorded Amelia Earhart's last confirmed radio transmission at 19:12 GMT on July 2, 1937, near 157° east longitude and 337° south latitude.
July 02, 1937
high
temporal
Finding reported in the U.S. Navy search report concerning Earhart's disappearance.