The Crash That Almost Ended the Flight

Name: The Crash That Almost Ended the Flight
Genre: Documentary

Earhart's first attempt toward Howland ends with a wrecked aircraft and a decision over whether the dream can survive.

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Transcript

Earhart's first attempt to reach Howland ended in a damaged plane.
On March 20th, 1937, Earhart began her first Howland attempt.
Earhart's original team included Fred Noonan and Harry Manning.
Noonan was assigned to navigate from Hawaii to Howland Island.
On March 20th, 1937, the Electra crashed during takeoff.
March 20th, 1937 crash left Earhart, Harry Manning, and Fred Noonan unharmed.
After the March 20th, 1937 crash, the Electra needed repairs.
The Electra's twisted propeller and split cowling showed the crash's force.
The team faced a rebuild before the team could continue its journey.
The Electra was repaired in California from March through May 1937.
The workshop held its breath around the unfinished aircraft.
Consulting weather maps and meteorologists, Earhart reversed the original westward plan.
Howland remained the Pacific leg's destination on Earhart's revised route.
Earhart left Miami, Florida, June 1st, 1937, to attempt a world flight.
Earhart carried March 20th, 1937 crash memories into the second start.
The repaired Electra continued with the same crew toward the Pacific leg.
For a moment, the silence lingered beneath the aircraft's wing.

The damaged Electra looked like the end of the world flight—but Earhart sent it back to California to be rebuilt.

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