Lexington, Ky. – Evelyn Schultz, a longtime evening news anchor at LEX‑18, is watching a story that hits close to home. Her father, Steve Schultz, a senior vice president and general counsel at Purdue University, is helping lead a 17‑person research expedition to Nikumaroro, a remote island in the South Pacific, in search of the long‑lost aircraft of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.
Family ties and a shared love of history
Steve Schultz, who grew up in Montana and studied history in college, has spent decades as a lawyer, but his passion for uncovering the truth has drawn him to this historic mission. “My dad loves history and likes to get to the bottom of things,” Evelyn said in a recent Zoom interview. “He’s always loved travel and exploration, and this project feels like a perfect fit for him.”
Evelyn, who spent four years reporting for Montana television before moving to Lexington, said the expedition reminded her of the curiosity that first inspired Earhart’s own record‑breaking flights. “She was a feminist icon, ahead of her time,” Schultz noted. “As a girl‑dad to four daughters, I think my dad appreciates what Amelia represented – determination and possibility for women in aviation and beyond.”
The expedition’s goal
The team, organized through a partnership between Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute, spent five days traveling by boat to Nikumaroro. Their objective is to investigate a visual anomaly in satellite imagery, known as the “Taraia object,” which could be the remains of Earhart’s Lockheed Electra.
Researchers are conducting underwater surveys, using sonar and remotely operated vehicles to map the seafloor. Purdue officials said rough seas have delayed the team’s return to shore, extending the fieldwork while they wait for calmer conditions. At least two more days of underwater work are expected before a preliminary assessment can be made.
Challenges of the remote location
“You could get to the moon faster than you could get to Nikumaroro,” Schultz remarked, underscoring the logistical hurdles of the mission. The island lies more than 2,000 miles from the United States, and the expedition must contend with unpredictable weather, limited supplies, and the difficulty of operating sophisticated equipment far from any support base.
Despite these obstacles, the team remains optimistic. “Why not us?” Steve Schultz said when asked why he joined the effort. “Someone has to check it out, and we have the expertise and resources to do it responsibly.”
National attention and local pride
The search has attracted coverage from national outlets, and Steve Schultz has appeared on the Today show to discuss the project. Evelyn, who has interviewed her father for a segment on LEX‑18, said she feels a mixture of excitement and concern watching the expedition unfold.
“I’m proud of my dad and the whole crew,” she said. “When they return, we’ll have a celebration – his birthday is at the end of the month, after all.”
What’s next?
While the investigation is still in its early stages, the possibility of locating Earhart’s aircraft would be a breakthrough in one of aviation’s most enduring mysteries. Researchers caution that the anomaly may turn out to be a natural formation or unrelated debris, but they remain committed to a thorough scientific approach.
For now, the Schultz family watches the updates with hope, and Lexington residents share in the excitement of a local family contributing to a historic quest.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
