Amelia Earhart: Across the Atlantic | Solo | 2
46:11 Share

Amelia Earhart peers out the window of her red Lockheed Vega. She's searching for a runway in Cleveland, but all she sees through the summer haze are green fields below her. The cockpit is snug, and the sun beating through the window makes Amelia feel like she's in an oven. Her hands are slick with sweat, and she's struggling to keep hold of the control stick.

After taking off nine days ago from California, Amelia is close to reaching the finish line of the first cross-country women's air derby. She and 18 other women have endured rain squalls, mechanical failures, and low visibility on this 2,350-mile race. It's been a grueling ride, but she thinks she might have a shot at winning. It's been 14 months since Amelia became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic as part of the crew of the Friendship.

Now, she's one of the most renowned pilots on Earth. But Amelia has mixed feelings about it. She may have been the commander of the Friendship flight, but she never got to fly the plane herself. No matter how often she credits Bill Stultz for piloting the Friendship, the general public continues to call Amelia "Lady Lindy," the world's best female pilot.

But she's heard the whispers within the aviation community. Many pilots question her abilities and wonder whether she deserves all the acclaim. If Amelia can just find the Cleveland airfield, she can finish the race and show that she's more than an amateur pilot. At last, Amelia spots the air traffic control tower and the landing strip.

Beside the runway is a massive grandstand packed with thousands of spectators. As she gets closer, she can see a winner's pavilion with banners flapping. Emilia takes a deep breath as she lifts the nose of the plane and dives for the finish line. Emilia purchased the Vega just a few weeks ago. It's a powerful plane, capable of flying farther and faster than any she's owned before.

But she's still getting used to it, especially when it comes to landing. As the ground grows closer, she can see the crowd in the grandstand is going wild. Amelia's rear wheels hit the ground, hard. The plane bounces up and shoots along the runway a few feet above the ground. Amelia can feel the wings shuddering from the impact. She knows that if they clip the ground, the plane will somersault into the grandstand. She can see people near the airstrip, running for cover.

The wheels smack into the ground again, and Amelia can feel the whole undercarriage shaking from the force. This time, she remains on the ground and finally comes to a stop. Covered in sweat and grime, Amelia climbs from her plane and steps onto the end of the runway. She sees two planes are already parked in front of the grandstand. She came in third place. Not what she had hoped for, but at least she landed safely.

Amelia! Amelia! As she walks toward the grandstand, she hears the crowd screaming her name. She didn't embarrass herself in this race, but she's eager to find another opportunity to break new ground as a pilot. Amelia wants to prove herself, and she wants to prove what all women are truly capable of.

In our fast-paced, screen-filled world, it can be all too easy to lose that sense of imagination and wonder. If you're looking for new ways to ignite your creativity and open your mind to fresh perspectives, then let Audible be your guide. Whether you listen to stories, motivation, or any genre you love,

you can be inspired to imagine new worlds, new possibilities, and new ways of thinking. There's more to imagine when you listen. Plus, as an Audible member, you'll get one title a month to keep from their entire catalog. If you're into mythology, then I recommend the title Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. He's an amazing storyteller that narrates this unique version of the Norse myths.

Listen along. New members can try Audible free for 30 days. Visit audible.com slash the odds or text the odds to 500-500. That's audible.com slash the odds or text the odds to 500-500. Against the Odds is brought to you by Progressive Insurance.

Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what? Now you can call them on your auto insurance too with the Name Your Price tool from Progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at Progressive.com to join their over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive.

Progressive Casualty Insurance Company & Affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. From Wondery, I'm Cassie DePeckel, and this is Against the Odds.

In 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by plane. It was a 20-hour flight that transformed her into a global media sensation, even though she never actually piloted the plane. By 1929, it had been two years since Charles Lindbergh's legendary solo flight from America to Europe. Many pilots attempted to repeat his amazing feat, but none had yet succeeded.

public attention was fixated on who would be next. Meanwhile, Amelia was growing uncomfortable with her celebrity. She wanted to prove her skill, knowing that the more she achieved, the more people would recognize that women were equal to men. This is episode two, "Solo."

Amelia Earhart darts under the wooden bleachers, trying to get away from the spectators at the Women's Air Derby. Above her, she can see the shoes of the excited crowd who have come to see the pilots cross the finish line. In the half-light under the grandstand, she spots her friend Louise Theydon smoking a cigarette. Louise has just won the derby, and Amelia has to admit she's a little jealous. Amelia pushes those feelings aside and embraces her.

"Congratulations, Louise. First place!" Louise's white shirt is dusty and her eyes are swollen from the wind, but she smiles and takes Amelia's hand. "I'm sorry we all couldn't come in first." Amelia sees little cuts around Louise's neck. Louise laughs. "They put a horseshoe of roses around my neck without removing the thorns." Amelia hears another plane arrive. She peeks through the risers to watch it land gracefully on the runway.

Amelia's face grows hot as she thinks about her own bumpy landing just a few minutes ago. She's spent the past year trying to become the pilot that the world already thinks she is. She's flown across the country twice and improved her navigation skills. She's practiced taking off and landing on roads, grass, and sand. And she still came close to crashing today.

The Women's Air Derby has been a trial by fire for her and for all the pilots. Just this morning, her friend Ruth Nichols crashed into a tractor at the end of the runway while trying to take off. Luckily, Ruth survived, but her plane was destroyed. Despite the obvious dangers, the press doesn't appear to be taking Amelia and her colleagues seriously.

Newspapers have dubbed this grueling race the Powder Puff Derby, and they're calling the pilots Ladybirds.

Over the past few months, Amelia and Ruth have been in communication about a way to command more respect for women aviators. She brings it up with Louise. "What if we formed a women's flying organization?" Louise pulls hard on her cigarette. "A club for women pilots? What for?" Amelia grins at her friend. "We need to band together and prove to the public that we're more than a powder puff spectacle. We're legitimate, expert pilots."

If that's what it takes to convince them, count me in. Louise tosses her cigarette to the ground and Amelia follows her out into the sunshine. A crowd of fans swarms them, begging for autographs. But Amelia's still thinking about the flying club. If the women pilots work together, maybe they'll finally get the respect they all deserve.

George Putnam stares across the dining room table at a fascinating woman with short auburn hair. He and his wife are hosting six guests for a dinner party at his house in Rye, New York. There's an explorer just back from the Gobi Desert, a U.S. Senator, and even a balloonist. But he's barely heard anything they've said. He's locked on Amelia Earhart, his protege, and the most famous person at the table.

It's September 1929, and Amelia is describing the women's air derby, which finished a month ago. But the best thing to come out of the race is our pilots group. We're calling it the 99s. George's guests exchange puzzled looks. Amelia explains. The 99s, for the 99 women pilots who are charter members. George admires Amelia's gray eyes and her graceful way of answering questions with a smile.

He glances across the table at his wife, Dorothy. Her eyes are on Amelia as well. "Well, Amelia, what's next? Will you be the first woman to fly herself across the Atlantic?" "Oh, I'm afraid my plane isn't ready for such a difficult flight." George knows that's not the only reason. Amelia hasn't had time to train because he's kept her busy with lectures, promoting her book about the Friendship Flight.

She's also writing articles for Cosmopolitan and attending galas left and right. George takes a sip of wine. Amelia doesn't have time. The public can't get enough of America's foremost woman aviator. He sees Amelia blush. She really is very lovely to look at. Dorothy puts down her fork. George has taken a very active interest in Amelia's career. George laughs. I just pay attention to the details. Even my hats.

The whole table erupts in laughter. Dorothy pushes her chair back and walks swiftly out of the dining room. George puts down his glass and follows her. "Dorothy, where are you going?" She turns to him, eyes filled with rage. "You host the party, George. You obviously don't need me anymore. You've got your protégé to keep you busy." Dorothy walks out the front door and slams it behind her.

For once, George is speechless. Amelia pulls the tape off another moving box and hands several books to George. She's in his living room, which is now also her living room. Do you know, George? This is my first real home since I left Boston three years ago. George places a book on the shelf. Your last home, I hope. It's April 1931, a perfect spring morning in Rye, New York.

Eighteen months ago, Dorothy Putnam abruptly walked out of a dinner party, and then her marriage. The Great Depression is now underway. Amelia's lectures and paid appearances have dried up, and she's finding her life has taken a direction she's never expected.

Amelia has always been resistant to the idea of marriage. She told this to George, but after his third proposal, he wore her down. She told him she would not change her name. She told him she would leave the marriage after a year if it didn't go well. She told him she wouldn't demand that he remain faithful to her and that she expected the same freedom in return. Those were her conditions. He accepted them and said he still wanted to marry her.

She sits down on the couch with a sigh. Everything seems to be slowing down. I don't know what to do next. George comes over and kisses her on the head. Well, it's been three years since I published your book. Write another one. Amelia thinks for a moment. You know, I would like to write a book about the future of women in aviation.

George sits down next to Amelia. That's noble, of course, but your book should have a new adventure in it if it's going to sell. Amelia looks at George. Is he suggesting that it's time to make a bigger splash?

Lately, the press has been paying more attention to her friend, Ruth Nichols. She's broken speed and altitude records for women. And a few days ago, the New York Times broke the news that Ruth was gearing up to be the first woman to attempt a solo flight across the Atlantic. Amelia takes another book out of a moving box. She stares blankly at the cover. She has a lot to say about women and aviation, about all the accomplishments of the 99s.

But what adventure could she write about? Is it possible that she could beat Ruth to the punch and make a solo flight before her? Could her plane be ready? Could she be ready? For some reason, as she takes in her new home, it all seems hard to imagine. She sets the book on the shelf and decides to start writing. She'll figure out how to sell the book later. Ruth Nichols levels her wings as she locks eyes on the tiny airfield below her

She's flying above New Brunswick, Canada in a white Lockheed Vega, which she's dubbed the Akita. It's June 22nd, 1931. If the weather report remains clear, she's going to take off tomorrow and fly across the Atlantic solo. But first, she's planning to spend a night in New Brunswick. Ruth's been dubbed the flying debutante because of her wealthy upbringing. It's a moniker she's eager to shed.

She's never used her family's money to finance her flying. Instead, it's taken her years to raise enough money for this trip, months to plan it, and weeks of waiting for the right weather. Ruth thinks briefly about her friend Amelia Earhart, who's now married and living with George Putnam. Ruth has always wondered why George didn't pick her as his protege. Ruth lived in Rye, New York, after all, right around the corner from the Putnams. It doesn't matter anymore.

She's on the verge of doing something that can make her even more famous than Amelia. Ruth banks the Vega around to get a better look at the airfield. Instead of an expansive field, wide and open, it looks more like a small bowl dropped into the middle of the Canadian woods. The short runway is lined with craggy rocks. It's way more dangerous than she expected. As she lines up her plane with the runway, Ruth flies directly into the setting sun.

She's half blinded by the harsh glare and has trouble seeing the ground. She misses her mark and touches down halfway down the runway. Ruth realizes that she won't have time to stop the Akita before reaching the boulders at the end of the runway. She quickly hits the throttle to take off again.

The plane barely clears the boulders and hurdles above the bushes surrounding the clearing. She's flying just a few feet above the ground, so low that she can hear the propeller chopping through brush. Suddenly, she feels the wooden undercarriage of the plane shredding apart as it's raked over more sharp rocks. The engine of the plane breaks apart, and the cockpit splinters. Ruth is thrown into the windshield as the plane jerks to a stop in the bushes.

In the silence, Ruth's back flares in pain. She looks around to find herself surrounded by tangled wreckage. She staggers away from what's left of the Akita and falls to the ground, alive but with her back in agony. She closes her eyes. Her solo flight across the Atlantic has been canceled indefinitely. George Putnam shakes out the New York Times and folds it into a tight square.

Across the breakfast table, Amelia smiles at him over her own newspaper. His habit of folding the paper before he reads it clearly amuses her. He takes a sip of coffee and looks out the window. It's a chilly January morning in 1932, but there are only scattered snow banks, remnants of the last snowstorm. Amelia lowers her newspaper. She seems deep in thought, as she has for much of the winter. Suddenly, Amelia looks him in the eye

George, would you mind if I flew the Atlantic alone? George feels a quick rush of fear. He saw this coming, if not so soon. Every clear day, she's been driving to New Jersey to take the Vega up for a ride. The only other activity that appears to get her excited is her work as president of the 99s.

George now realizes that crossing the Atlantic alone has been in the back of Amelia's mind for a long time. Now she's ready to give it a shot. George doesn't know how he feels, but he knows he doesn't want to hold her back. Are you sure you're ready, Amelia? Well, I think I am. George's mind races with all of the things that could go wrong. He thinks of Ruth Nichols, still fighting to recover from her crash a few months ago.

He looks at Amelia and wonders how she could face such a dangerous journey so calmly. He understands for the first time that Amelia is a fatalist. She can see the dangers, but she can also put them out of her mind. George puts down his newspaper. If Amelia is going to fly this spring, they'll need to work under total secrecy. She and her Vega need to be fully prepared for the perilous Atlantic crossing.

Amelia will need an advisor to help her train for the flight, an expert in long-distance flying. And then she'll need a whole lot of luck. When you're hiring, time is of the essence. That's why more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide use Indeed to find exceptional talent fast. Indeed's powerful matching engine works quickly, so quickly that, according to Indeed data worldwide, every minute, 23 hires are made on Indeed.

But it doesn't stop there, because Indeed also helps you hire better. 93% of employers agree Indeed delivers the highest quality matches compared to other job sites, according to a recent Indeed survey. That's because their matching engine is always learning from your preference. So the more you use Indeed, the better it gets.

So let Indeed be your go-to for making great hires quickly and easily. And listeners of the show, get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at Indeed.com slash the odds. Just go to Indeed.com slash the odds right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com slash the odds. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire? You need Indeed.

These days, it feels like we're all just on the hunt for ways to optimize our health and feel our absolute best. The only problem is, with all these supplements out there, it can be really tough to know which ones are actually worth your time and money. That's where today's sponsor Symbiotica comes in. Symbiotica is a premium supplement brand that's raising the bar when it comes to purity, potency, and efficacy. Their supplements are formulated with high-quality ingredients. That's why their formulas don't have any seed oils, preservatives,

toxins, artificial additives, or natural flavors. Plus, while most supplements can taste chalky or sulfuric, Symbiotica's supplements have amazing flavors like citrus lime, vanilla chai, or wild berry. I've been loving the magnesium supplement from Symbiotica. Being low in magnesium, I've made it a priority lately to take it consistently. I love how I can take it on the go and ensure I'm never missing a dose. Feel more energized, alert, and balanced with high-quality supplements that work.

head over to Symbiotica.com and use code ODDS for 20% off and free shipping on your subscription order. Burnt Balkan leans forward and peers into the cockpit of a Lockheed Vega. The plane is being piloted by Amelia Earhart, and Burnt is peeking over her shoulder, trying to assess her skill level. Amelia handles the control stick with ease, and she seems relaxed, almost weirdly calm.

She's just taken off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, and now they're well above the clouds. Berndt is a respected aviator with ample experience flying over the ocean. He's flown with plenty of famous people, including Admiral Richard Byrd, the great polar explorer. But no pilot comes surrounded with more lore than Amelia Earhart. He was intrigued when she asked him to join her flight team as an advisor.

But before he gave an answer, he wanted to see if she's a good enough pilot to fly alone over the Atlantic. Amelia clearly values his expertise. She told him that if he had any reservations about her or her Vega at any time during the preparations, she would trust his judgment and cancel the trip.

Amelia shows off with a couple of swoops and a dive. Berndt can see that she has talent, but they're flying in fair weather conditions. There's no way to guarantee clear skies on an ocean crossing.

To cross the Atlantic, Amelia will have to be able to navigate through storms and fog, to fly blind, with only the help of instruments. Amelia has been practicing this, but she told Berndt that she wants him to train her to be an expert. Berndt taps her shoulder. When do you plan to set out? Mr. Putnam thinks May 20th will be the right day, weather permitting. Of course, thinks Berndt. May 20th will be the fifth anniversary of Lindbergh's flight.

But it's already April. As Amelia heads back to the airstrip, Berndt analyzes the situation. Amelia's Vega will need to be modified. They'll have to strengthen the fuselage. They'll also need to add extra fuel tanks to increase the Vega's range. Berndt looks back in the cabin. They could clear the seats and install tanks there.

They could also fit smaller tanks in each wing. Then they could run pipes along the ceiling of the cockpit to transport the fuel to the motor as needed. They'll also have to install new instruments and a supercharged engine. He could hire his friend Eddie Gorski as the mechanic. Eddie can fix anything. Amelia lands the plane back at Teterboro Airport. As they taxi to the hangar, Berndt agrees to take on the project and train Amelia.

She smiles calmly and seems satisfied. I'll come to the airport three times a week to train. As Berndt shakes Amelia's hand, he thinks. They have six weeks to prepare the plane and to help Amelia get ready. Berndt doesn't want her to be like the many other pilots who took off for Europe and were never seen again.

Ruth Nichols sips her soup and shifts in her seat. The walnut chairs in Amelia's dining room are beautiful, but she wishes they had padding. Ruth is finally out of the body cast she wore after crashing in New Brunswick, but her back is still stiff and sore. It's May 15th, 1932. Amelia rather abruptly asked Ruth to lunch a few days ago, and she's still wondering why.

Amelia is friendly and talkative today, but she isn't eating much. Ruth can tell her friend is up to something. Amelia puts down her spoon. So, Ruth, do you plan to fly the Atlantic again? Well, I'd like to, if I can find a better plane. Amelia gives a tight-lipped smile. Yes, of course. I imagine you've thought about the modifications you'd make.

Ruth thought she had prepared perfectly for her ill-fated flight last year. And she mostly had, except for the rocky landing field in New Brunswick. She won't make that mistake next time. Ruth tells Amelia how she will plan and organize her next solo attempt. She lists the equipment she would buy, the modifications she would make, the research she would do. Amelia listens, nodding her head, agreeing with most of Ruth's ideas.

Ruth leans forward in her seat. In short, when I try again, I will plan for every possible thing that can go wrong. Amelia stirs her cold soup. Every possible thing? I know we have to be prepared, but if I'm being honest, I just don't think about crack-ups. Amelia stands and begins to clear the dishes. The conversation is over.

Ruth realizes this wasn't a friendly chat between friends. Amelia asked her here to talk through preparing for an Atlantic flight because Amelia is planning to make one. It's a pretty cutthroat move on Amelia's part, and Ruth has to admit she respects her for it.

Burnt Balkan stands on his toes and winds the propeller at the front of Amelia's Lockheed Vega. It's sticking again. He calls out to mechanic Eddie Gorski for assistance. Eddie pushes through the crowd that's milling around the plane and runs off to find the right tool. It's May 20th, 1932, in the coastal town of Harbour Grace on the eastern side of Newfoundland.

Berndt guesses that George Putnam alerted the press as soon as they left Teterboro yesterday. People are packed onto this windy runway, hoping to catch a glimpse of Amelia before she attempts her crossing. Curious locals stroke the sides of the red Vega while photographers elbow past them. Berndt steps to the opposite side of the plane, where Amelia is signing an autograph. He pulls a folded piece of paper out of his jacket and hands it to Amelia.

It's the paper map on which he's marked the route to Paris. Amelia nods. Over the past six weeks, Berndt's respect for Amelia has grown. She's not the best pilot he has flown with, but she's smart and fearless. She's also a quick learner, more than proficient now at using the instruments to fly blind and stay on course.

Burnt wishes that she had a radio on the Vega. But Amelia was adamant. She doesn't know Morse code, and a radio would just be extra weight. Eddie returns with his toolbox and hands Amelia a yellow telegram. Amelia opens it. It's from George. He says the weather is promising. Burnt folds his arms. I would prefer perfect. It won't ever be perfect, Burnt. I'm ready to set out now.

Amelia looks calm to Berndt. In his estimation, she's ready. The crowd presses in to shake her hand, to wish her well, to touch her flight jacket. Berndt thinks he would go out of his mind with all that attention. But Amelia is patient and attentive.

He tries to usher her toward the cabin door, but Amelia quickly turns and addresses the crowd. To all my friends, both far and near, let me say that you will hear from me in less than 15 hours. Bert yells to the crowd. All right, everybody stand back.

Amelia climbs onto the plane as reporters snap photos and a newsreel camera honks. Standing in the doorway of the Vega, she stops and waves. The reporters aren't satisfied. Amelia! One more! Ms. Earhart! One more! Ms. Earhart! This way, Amelia! One more question! Amelia pauses and smiles for a moment. Then, she disappears into the plane. Eddie gives a thumbs up. Should be good to go now.

- Burnt climbs up onto a wheel of the plane and pulls down on the propeller. The engine springs to life. He jumps down and pulls the chocks out from the Vega's wheels. He hears Amelia rev up the 500 horsepower engine. The roar is deafening. Burnt steps back and waves to Amelia in the cockpit. - Good luck! - The Vega taxis away. He and Eddie stand shoulder to shoulder and watch the plane gather speed.

It hurtles down the field and lifts off into a southwest wind. Spectators wave and photographers snap final shots. The plane buzzes over the crowd once and then heads east into the twilight sky. Amelia Earhart is on her way across the Atlantic. Amelia pulls back on the stick of her Vega and feels the plane lift higher.

The tiny town of Harbor Grace disappears behind her. The cockpit of the Vega is small, but she feels comfortable in her seat. Still, she can feel her pulse racing. Her solo flight has officially begun. As she heads out to sea, Amelia checks her watch. 7:30 p.m., Newfoundland time. She checks her altimeter, 8,000 feet above sea level.

She wants to cruise above the fog and rain that plagued her first Atlantic crossing in the friendship. Luckily, the Vega can fly higher than the old Fokker F7. She climbs to 12,000 feet and finds clear air. Out the window, the sky is golden with a lingering sunset. She can see icebergs and a fishing boat down in the ocean. Amelia relaxes a bit. She is on the Lindbergh Trail, destination Paris.

An hour later, Amelia marvels at the full moon rising over the ocean. The air around her grows black, except for the red and green glow of the navigation lights on her wingtips. The plane begins to tremor softly and then louder.

The moon disappears and the air thickens. Amelia is flying into a bank of storm clouds. She can barely see the red and green lights on her wings. Lightning flashes outside the plane, and Amelia feels the strong winds beat down on the Vega. She flies through the storm for an hour, checking her compasses and drift indicator to maintain course. Still, she suspects the rough air is pushing her off route anyway.

Soon the wind dies down and Amelia sees the moon appear and disappear again behind wispy clouds. She feels a sense of relief. The storm is behind her. She glances at the altimeter and is immediately concerned. The hands on the dial are pointing straight down. She taps it, but the hands just swing uselessly. For the first time in Amelia's 12 years of flying, her altimeter is broken. She can't believe it.

For the rest of the flight, Amelia will have to use her eyes to judge how high she is above the waves. Luckily, the moon is bright and visibility is good. Amelia steels herself and decides that she'll be able to manage. But an hour later, Amelia can smell that something is burning. She scans the cockpit. Everything looks okay. She cranes her head to get a better view out the front window.

There's a small blue flame flickering on the nose of the plane, just over the engine. Amelia can see that a weld has come undone near the exhaust. The exhaust fumes are interacting with the heat from the engine and beginning to ignite. Amelia knows the fire will grow worse as the night wears on. The movement of the plane will increase the size of the open weld. If the flames grow, the whole plane could catch fire.

She could either burn to death or plunge into the ocean. Amelia weighs her options. If she returns to Newfoundland, it will take her several hours to get there. What's worse, she will have to land the plane in the dark on an unlit field with lots of fuel on board. A dangerous proposition, to be sure. If she continues east, she won't reach land for at least 10 more hours. Amelia doesn't take long to make up her mind.

She stays on course for Paris and hopes the fire doesn't spread. This season, Instacart has your back-to-school. As in, they've got your back-to-school lunch favorites, like snack packs and fresh fruit. And they've got your back-to-school supplies, like backpacks, binders, and pencils. And they've got your back when your kid casually tells you they have a huge school project due tomorrow.

Let's face it, we were all that kid. So first call your parents to say I'm sorry, and then download the Instacart app to get delivery in as fast as 30 minutes all school year long. Get a $0 delivery fee for your first three orders while supplies last. Minimum $10 per order. Additional terms apply.

Amelia holds the control stick tight and does her best to keep the plane steady. Out the windows, it's pitch black, except for the red and green lights on the wings and the blue flame above the engine. She's run into another storm. She doesn't have her altimeter to tell her how high she's flying. Nonetheless, she decides to climb. Maybe she can get above the storm.

She feels herself grow heavier in her seat as her altitude increases. The clouds grow thinner. Hopefully she'll be seen moonlight soon. But then the sound of the rain changes and the engine begins to whine. Amelia sees slush building on the windshield and her heart drops. The rain is freezing to the plane. If the wings become coated with ice, the plane will be too heavy to remain airborne.

She has to descend right away. She pushes the stick forward and nothing happens. The controls are frozen. The Vega starts spinning as it hurtles down towards the ocean. Amelia's supply bag flies across the cabin and smashes into the ceiling. To regain control, Amelia knows she needs to lower the nose of the plane. To do that, she has to stall her engine.

Amelia reduces her throttle, lowering power to the engine. It's suddenly quiet in the cockpit as the engine stalls. Time stands still as the Vega dives through the darkness. Finally, the plane breaks through the bottom of the storm cloud and Amelia can see white caps below her. Amelia gently pushes on the stick and is relieved to feel it move in the warmer air. The engine roars back to life and she feels her wings catch the wind.

Back in control of the plane, Amelia flies under the cloud cover, just over the water. The slush on the windshield continues to melt away. Amelia looks down at the water. The white caps are too close for comfort, but she doesn't want to fly up into the clouds and risk freezing the engine again. So she continues to fly low. As long as she can see the waves and she pays very close attention, she'll be fine.

As she skims over the dark waves, she takes stock of her situation. It's 2:00 a.m. in Newfoundland. She's been flying for almost seven hours. She still has plenty of fuel. The altimeter is broken, but the compasses and other indicators that track her speed and position all seem to be functioning properly. Amelia peers through the window. The blue flame continues to glow on the side of the engine.

If anything, it's burning a little brighter now, and the loose weld is making a noise like a rattling doorknob. For a moment, Amelia feels worried, but then she remembers there's nothing she can do about the welt or the flame. So Amelia pushes those thoughts out of her mind and keeps flying. She sees wisps of fog appear, masking her view of the water below. Without her altimeter, it's too dangerous to fly this low. She has no choice.

She points her nose up and climbs back into the storm. As dawn breaks, Amelia squints out the window. She can't see much through the layer of haze she's flying through, so she climbs higher. When she emerges above the cloud bank, the sun hurts her eyes, even through her dark glasses. Below her, the clouds look like endless fields of snow.

It was a long night that felt like an endless ride on a roller coaster, climbing up through storm clouds, encountering ice, and diving back down toward the ocean. The engine of the Vega behaves differently at different altitudes, as the temperature and oxygen levels shift. So Amelia used the sound of the carburetor to gauge her altitude. It was a delicate process that required maximum concentration.

Now, in the morning light, Amelia is tired and nauseated and has a pounding headache. She's been in the air for 10 hours. According to the flight plan, she has five more to go. She spends a few minutes enjoying the calm air above the clouds, but she knows she can't stay up here. She won't be able to spot land. She takes one last look and dives closer to the water.

When the ocean comes into view, she can see from the white caps that the wind is coming from the northwest, blowing her away from her destination. But where is she? She flew blind through the night for hours, and she probably has drifted far off course. Amelia ducks under the low-hanging clouds and flies low over the ocean. She skims over the waves, checking the horizon for land and the ocean below for boats.

Three hours pass. Still, no signs of any boats or land. She looks at her map. According to her route, she should be flying over Ireland now. But all she sees is ocean. Amelia checks her fuel gauge. She's running low. So she flips a switch to access the reserve tanks that Eddie installed in the wings. But the reserve fuel gauge doesn't budge. Then, she feels something dripping on her neck.

She runs her glove over the back of her collar and smells it. It's gasoline. The pipes over her head that lead to the reserve tanks are leaking fuel. She's in danger of running out of gas before she reaches land. Worse, the fire on the engine is growing. Long blue flames are starting to lick back toward the plane. If the flames get close enough to the fumes from the gas leak, the plane will go up fast and Amelia will burn to death.

She checks her compass and turns due north to correct for the wind. The plan was to land in Paris like Lindbergh, but now Amelia needs to come down at the first place she can find, wherever that is. As she flies on, Amelia knows there's a good chance her plane is going to go down. If she does crash, she wants George to know what happened. She reaches for her flight log and starts to write.

If anyone finds the wreck, know that the non-success was caused by my getting lost in a storm. And then the exhaust manifold blew out. Have crawled near the water for hours, dreading fires. Another hour passes as Amelia scans the endless expanse of water. She's exhausted, but alert and determined to finish her journey. Amelia notices a speck in the water ahead of the plane.

Her eyes widen as she recognizes what it is: a small fishing vessel. She circles the boat. Half a dozen men look up at her from the deck, shielding their eyes from the sun. She circles again, then a third time. The men wave to her. Amelia smiles and turns the Vega back on course. She's still not sure where she is.

But if she doesn't make it to land, at least these fishermen will know she made it this far. Robert Gallagher is outside enjoying the sunshine on one of those lovely hot afternoons that you sometimes get in May. The green field of his farm near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, stretches far as he can see. In the corner of the garden, Mrs. Gallagher pulls up weeds. He shuts his eyes for a moment to blot out the sun and hears a roaring noise overhead.

Gallagher opens his eyes and sees a bright red plane fly directly over his house in cow pasture. His children come running from inside the cottage, shouting and pointing at the aircraft, now making a wide circle over the pasture. The plane heads back toward the house. The children shriek and fall to the ground in fear.

Gallagher runs to his garden gate and the children follow. With his children at his side, he watches the red plane circle once more and then drop down to land in the pasture as the cows scatter. The wheels of the plane slam onto the ground and then the whole craft bounces back up into the air. It briefly flies parallel to the ground for a bit, its propeller buzzing along just over the tall grass.

Then the two front wheels slam into the earth a second time. The plane continues speeding forward until the tail falls with a bump. The plane rolls to a stop and Gallagher and his children race toward it. Someone emerges from the plane, clad in trousers and a leather jacket, face covered with oil. The figure steps toward them and speaks. Where am I?

Gallagher is startled. He didn't expect a woman's voice. Well, you're in Gallagher's pasture. My pasture. Have you come far? The pilot pulls off her cap to reveal an auburn bob and a gap-toothed smile. I came from America. I just crossed the Atlantic. Gallagher doesn't know whether or not to believe her. Well, welcome to this side of the ocean. Fancy a cup of tea?

The woman turns and looks back at the western horizon. She nods her head over and over and over. When she landed in the pasture of the Gallagher farm near the north coast of Northern Ireland, Amelia Earhart made history.

Not only was she the first woman to fly across the Atlantic solo, she was the second human after Charles Lindbergh to accomplish the feat. And between her solo flight and her flight as a passenger on the Friendship, she became the first person, man or woman, to make two flights across the Atlantic. After her solo flight, Amelia's fame exploded. When she returned to New York, hundreds of thousands attended her ticker tape parade,

Her second book became an instant bestseller. It was called The Fun of It, Random Records of My Own Flying and of Women in Aviation. The final 20 pages, written just four days after she landed, cover her adventure across the Atlantic. Amelia had become a towering figure in the field of aviation, and she was only getting started.

Just months after her solo transatlantic flight, she became the first woman to fly solo across the continental United States. In the months following, she set multiple speed records. In 1935, she flew solo from Honolulu to California, something no woman or man had done before.

In 1937, just nine years after her first transatlantic flight, Amelia and George planned a final long-distance stunt to generate publicity and income. Amelia would attempt to be the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by plane. On one of the final legs of the journey, while trying to locate a tiny South Pacific island where she was going to land and refuel, she disappeared.

For over a year, George held out hope, urging the U.S. Navy to continue searching for her and offering a reward for information on her whereabouts, but to no avail. The disappearance of Amelia Earhart would go down as one of the great mysteries of the 20th century. Throughout her life, Amelia wanted to prove to herself what she could do, and she wanted to inspire women by proving to the world what they were capable of. May I say one thing?

The 99s, the organization for women pilots that she founded with her friend Ruth Nichols, still exists to this day.

Today, there are thousands of members around the world and more than 150 chapters across the U.S., all devoted to providing scholarships, education, and fellowship to female pilots. ♪

I'm excited to share that our next episode of Against the Odds will be our hundredth. To celebrate, I'll be joined by my fellow host, Mike Corey, to share stories of our own adventures. Then, I'll welcome author and podcaster, Chris Williamson. We'll be discussing the incredible legacy of Amelia Earhart and the baffling mystery of her disappearance. This is episode two of our two-part series, Amelia Earhart, Across the Atlantic. ♪

A quick note about our scenes. In most cases, we can't know exactly what was said, but everything is based on historical research. If you'd like to learn more about this story, we recommend East to the Dawn by Susan Butler and 20 Hours, 40 Minutes, Our Flight in the Friendship by Amelia Earhart. I'm your host, Cassie DePeckel. Heather Dundas wrote this episode.

Our editor is Sean Raviv. Sound design is by Rob Shielaga. Our audio engineer is Sergio Enriquez. Our production coordinator is Desi Blaylock. Produced by Matt Olmos, Emily Frost, and Alita Rosansky. Our senior producer is Andy Herman. Our managing producer is Matt Gant. Our senior managing producer is Tanja Thigpen. Our executive producers are Jenny Lauer-Beckman, Stephanie Jens, and Marsha Louis. For Wondery...

My name is Georgia King, and I am thrilled to be the host of And Away We Go, a brand new travel podcast on Wondery Plus, where we'll be whisked away on immersive adventures all around the world. Where we go, what we do, what we eat, drink, and listen to will all be up to my very special guest.

We've got Ben Schwartz taking us on a whirlwind trip around Disneyland. We'll eat a bowl of life-changing pasta with Jimmy O. Yang in Tuscany, Italy. And how do you feel about a spot of sugaring off with Emily Hampshire in Montreal? And away we go, we'll immerse you

in some of the wonders of the world. We're going to be seeing some yellows and vibrant oranges. And the shoes clicking against the cobblestone. If you're looking to get somebody in the mood, have them look at the Chicago skyline. You can listen to And Away We Go exclusively with Wondery Plus. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Georgia, do you know what joy sounds like? I think I'm hearing it right now.