Earhart: Famous. Fearless. Vanished.Episode 91:21
The Call That Said the Fuel Was Running Low
The expected arrival becomes an emergency when Earhart reports an unseen ship, failed contact, and dwindling fuel.
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Transcript
At 7:42 a.m., Earhart said the fuel was running low.
On July 2nd, 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred J. Noonan left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland.
The flight from Lae was headed for Howland Island, about 2,550 miles away.
Near Howland, the Coast Guard cutter Itasca waited to support radio navigation and communication.
After no sign of the plane, the Itasca began a search.
At 6:14 a.m., the call sign KHAQQ reported its position as 200 miles from Howland.
Noonan was assigned to navigate the flight to Howland Island.
Earhart reported she could not see the Itasca and fuel was running low.
She also reported difficult radio contact while the Electra flew at 1,000 feet.
At 7:42 a.m., Earhart reported the Electra was flying at 1,000 feet.
In open ocean, distance can turn confidence into uncertainty before anyone sees the danger.
Just before 8:00 a.m., KHAQQ reported circling and requested bearings.
Earhart and Noonan received the cutter's signals, but could not obtain a minimum for bearing.
Where it leaves off
The circling Electra requested bearings, leaving the Itasca only minutes to guide Earhart toward Howland.
Next: Episode 10, The Signal They Heard but Could Not Follow
Sources
- The Japanese Government’s Offer of Assistance to Help Find Amelia Earhart, July 1937 – The Text Messagetext-message.blogs.archives.govprimary
- Radio Log of the Last Communications of Amelia Earhart | National Archivesarchives.govsecondary
- March | 2017 | Memoirs & Memoriesblogs.lib.purdue.edusecondary
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