On 20-21 May 1932 Amelia Earhart of Kansas, USA, became the first woman and second person to make a solo transatlantic flight when she piloted single-engine Lockheed Vega from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, Canada, to Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in 13 hr 30 min.

She then went on to make two unsuccessful attempts to circumnavigate the world. On 2 July 1937, after completing 35,400 km (22,000 miles) of her second attempt, Earhart set off with navigator from Lae, Papua New Guinea, for Howland Island in the Pacific. Neither was ever seen again.