I think that’s mostly true but Ted Noonan was a known alcoholic and last minute chosen as navigator.He had been fired from Pan Am for what some say was a constant drinking problem. Originally 4 were to travel from Hawaii to Howland Island, but after Earhart’s crash in Hawaii and the time it took for repairs, the route was reversed so it would be from New Guinea to Howland and only Noonan accompanied a reportedly exhausted Earhart. Many believe she just couldn’t find the tiny Island even though she established one way (they could hear her but not vice-versa) radio communication with the Itasca just off Howland and just went down when fuel ran out. A group searched with remote subs in her estimated location and found nothing. Rick Gillespie of TIGHAR.com thinks she made it to Gardener Island now called Nikomorro (sp.?) and has been searching since the 1980’s and although some artifacts have been found, nothing definitive. I think TIGHAR had a plan for another search this year in 2012, leave it to Obama to bud in.
i think gillispe is pretty sure they landed on the reef off the island. the starboard engine would have to be above water to run to power the transmitter. any numbe of storms would have washed the plane off the reef into deep water. IIRC this island has little ahade and no fresh water.
there was a movie a while back starring diane keaton. i remember the poignant ending whre she realizes she is lost and says. “lets climb out of the clouds. i want to see the sun one last time.” that still sends shivers up my spine when i think about actually knowing you are about to die and there is nothing you can do to save yourself.