I seen CNN today that researchers think they have found Amelia Earhart  Elektra on the botto m of the Pacific ocean,the image is grainy,but it has convinced researchers enough to put it out there,that they think they are close! Here is the link for those interested http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/31/world/asia/earhart-plane-search/index.html.

They can make a plane out of that? I don't see anything in that shot hat even remotely looks like a plane part...and of course this isn't the first time researchers have claimed they found that plane!!

I have a couple of hundred hours or so operating and looking at side scan sonar records and I can say with certainty that without at least a high frequency sub bottom profiler vertical view or better, camera and ROV inspection, that image means little other than it might justify further investigation. It certainly does not leap out at you as an airplane. Here are two images the leave no doubt. These are from surveys done with the Klein Side Scan Sonar system.

 

 

 

The top image is from an older, lower frequency system printed on an old wet paper system. The second is a newer generation 500KHz system, which shows obvious improvements in resolution, which is digitized. Any guesses as to the type of aircraft the second one is?

Clearly there is something there, and they are quoted as saying its the "right size and right shape"...but the right size and shape of what, exactly ? Ric Gillespie's theories concerning the fate of Earhart and Noonan are very credible indeed, but I sometimes think he sees what he wants to see on Nikumaroro / Gardner Island, rather than what is actually there. I suppose that's understandable given the amount of time and effort he's devoted to solving the mystery over the years, but I have a feeling he's going to end his days a very disappointed man. This anomaly on the sea bed could be anything; possibly an artifact from the S.S. Norwich City, which was wrecked near the also-quoted 'right place'.

 

Here's another link that shows another 'artifact'. Could be the undercarriage leg...could quite possibly not be.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2124032/Amelia-Earhart-mystery-Picture-shows-landing-gear-doomed-plane.html

 

 

Any guesses as to the type of aircraft the second one is?

Republic F-84 maybe ?

 

 

Republic F-84 maybe ?

 

Nope. Twin engine Beach.

Even if it did tun out to be a plane, with all the warplanes that went down in the Pacific in World War II on both sides, it's more likely one of them.

PBY