The Purdue Exponent, March 18, 1937. Credits: Purdue University

On March 17, 1937, alongside over 5000 cheering fans, Amelia Earhart departed from Oakland Municipal Airport, starting the first leg of her very first attempted around-the-world flight. She was piloting a Lockheed Electra 10E Special. Aboard the plane were her friend and advisor, Albert Paul Mantz, navigator Frederick J. Noonan and radio operator/navigator Harry Manning.

The Lockheed Electra 10E flying from Oakland to Honolulu. Credits: Purdue University

After a record-setting 15 hour, 47 minute overnight flight, Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10E plane landed at Wheeler Army Airfield Base in Honolulu, Hawaii in need of maintenance and repair. Upon arrival in Hawaii, Earhart, saying that she was very tired, asked Paul Mantz to make the landing.

Damaged Lockheed Electra 10E after crash landing. Credits: Purdue University

The flight resumed three days later. During takeoff a tire blew and Earhart was forced to ground the plane. With the plane severely damaged, the flight was called off and the aircraft was shipped by sea to the Lockheed facility in Burbank, California for repairs. Amelia Earhart would make her final attempt to circumnavigate the globe on July 2, 1937 never to return.