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Were any of the post-loss radio signals from the Electra?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of Where did the Electra come down?·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: all were hoaxes, misidentified stations or wishful hearingAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. All were hoaxes, misidentified stations or wishful hearing. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

If any of the 182 catalogued receptions came from the aircraft, it was on land with a working engine, which rules out crash and sink⁠[1]. If none did, the Nikumaroro reading loses its timing evidence.

Answers 3

Evidence: 1 for
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for, 1 against
Disputed

History

  1. Lambrecht: the Navy searched the Phoenix Islands on the strength of the bearings and found nothing.Against: Some signals were genuine transmissions from the Electra on land.
  2. Brandenburg & Gillespie puts forward: some signals were genuine transmissions from the Electra on land.
  3. Brandenburg & Gillespie: tIGHAR's catalogue rates a subset of receptions credible and reports Pan Am bearings crossing near the…For: Some signals were genuine transmissions from the Electra on land.
  4. Brandenburg & Gillespie: many 1937 receptions were shown at the time to be hoaxes or other stations.For: All were hoaxes, misidentified stations or wishful hearing.
  5. TIGHAR puts forward: all were hoaxes, misidentified stations or wishful hearing.
  6. Asked on this site
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