Interesting that rivets factor with Earhart crash...
Apparently rivets a big factor in the Titanic sinking as well. Iron in place of stronger steel rivets, where dictated by limited access for pneumatic hammers and then need to hand form/drive the rivet. Iron rivets with slag and/or slag in a weakening alignment versus an alignment that would have made the rivet stronger.
The rivets are a factor in identifying the aircraft remains not in the crash.
The crash was caused by lack of fuel.
rivets, yes. also the type of steel plates used on the hull. apparently on the brittle side.