That is an impressive letter from Eagar. I was frankly a bit surprised at part of his personal conclusion, just because reserved judgment is more common for such things - he was willing to venture further into a probability of Earhart provenance than I would have dared dream.
It is heartening that he 'got it' with regard to some details that are rather concrete to some of us about why this oddball part may be a fit to the Electra. I well understand and respect why those details continue to appear more abstract to many onlookers. That said, I've 'felt' (that most unreliable personal device, but by observation and instinct, I suppose) for sometime that 2-2-V-1 is somehow more unique than just a random piece of aluminum sheet happening to be about the right size for the 'bathroom window' on NR16020. It is good to see we have some strong company -
As Eagar noted, the oddity of size and pattern are suggestive to some of us about a peculiar, particular provenance. So Eagar sees that as well - something beyond just a sterile review of failure modus. Plus he gives strong insight into the conditions of failure - much of which is supportive as to the right kind of environment to help explain an Earhart-related relic at that place.
I look forward to more details from these gentlemen when able.
Makes me appreciate what time, tides and mother nature's rocking chair (motion of the ocean on a somewhat fixed object) can do. What they envision is not the more violent initial event that I had believed might have initiated the failure; not expert there myself, of course, I am very grateful for their insight.
The rivet failure modus Eagar envisions also makes perfect sense as well. Stress corrosion cracking is very consistent with much we'd imagine about what the Electra would have endured if submerged on the reef face at Niku.
I'm grateful that you were able to get such qualified folks to look 2-2-V-1 over - won't find heavier hitters than MIT for qualifications on this kind of stuff.
EDITED: I have eagerly corrected 'Eager' to 'Eagar'...