ubject of ongoing research.

Last year, the National Archives released over 4,600 pages of previously unsealed government records related to Earhart's 1937 disappearance, including her final known radio transmissions.

What they're saying:

 Finding Amelia Earhart's Electra aircraft would be the discovery of a lifetime,  Richard Pettigrew, head of the Archaeological ​Legacy Institute in Eugene, Oregon, who is leading the effort in conjunction with Purdue, said in press materials for the mission obtained by Reuters.

If researchers confirm the Taraia Object is Earhart's airplane, they hope to conduct a full-scale archaeological excavation next year with the proper permissions, Purdue spokesperson Trevor Peters told Fox News Digital in August .

The ultimate goal would be to return the plane to Purdue to be displayed, which Peters said is consistent with Earhart's original wishes.

The Source: Information in this article came from Reuters and previous FOX News reporting. This story was reported from Orlando.