Airborne 10.16.26: Earhart Expedition, Disney’s Gulfstream, FAA Grounds Elixir

The search in Nikumaroro’s lagoon for what could be Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10-E was underway on Wednesday by members of the Taraia Object expedition. 

In the first day of field operations, the maritime archaeology team began surveying the lagoon using a magnetometer and side-scan sonar technology. The magnetometer is used to detect ferrous metals, which could include steel cabling and other metal components from the mostly aluminum Electra, while sonar technology is used to search for objects under sediment on the lagoon floor. For the first time, members of the general public who are not part of Disney’s official D23 fan organization can experience the interior of Disney’s last personal aircraft during a series of exclusive events at the Palm Springs Air Museum in California. Visitors can step inside one of aviation’s most remarkable restorations during this exclusive evening celebrating Walt Disney’s aircraft. The FAA has grounded every Elixir aircraft following a fatal accident during a production flight. The cause remains under investigation, but regulators are not waiting for definitive answers before acting. The
decision puts the French manufacturer’s aircraft under an immediate safety restriction. Effective October 14th, 2026, the FAA’s Airworthiness Directive 2026-21-01 prohibits further flight of all Elixir Aircraft Model Elixir airplanes until approved corrective actions have been completed. All this — and MORE in today’s episode of Airborne-Unlimited!!!

Airborne 10.16.26 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Friday, October 16th, 2026… Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Senior ANN Airborne Host Holland Lee. Holland is supported by ANN Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Cam Walton, as well as ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell. This episode covers:

• Earhart Expedition Update: Underwater Survey Of Taraia Object Begins   




• Visitors Can Tour Inside Walt Disney’s Vintage Grumman Gulfstream




• FAA Grounds Elixir Aircraft Fleet  




• Tecnam Names Third-Generation CEO     




• FAA Investigating Close Call At LaGuardia Between Delta Flight, Business Jet   




• U.S. Navy Achieves First F-35C Landing On Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier  




• Chorman Airport Air Show Canceled Due To Risk From High Winds 

Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again tomorrow, for the next edition of “Airborne Unlimited” here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, tomorrow!

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