In the opening sequence, we are thrust into the audacious mid-air escape of an individual from a Boeing 727, situated somewhere over Reno. An immediate search of the aircraft ensued, but the identity, origin, and destination of this person remain shrouded in mystery. The pursuit continues, driven by the expectation of uncovering the truth.
On the afternoon of November 24, 1971, a man of middle age, carrying a briefcase, entered Portland International Airport and secured a one-way ticket to Seattle, Washington. This individual identified himself as Dan Cooper and, accompanied by 36 passengers and a crew of six, boarded Northwest Airlines Flight 305. Cooper, positioned in the rear-middle seats on the right side, proceeded to order a drink and, reflecting the norms of the 1970s, indulged in a cigarette. As the flight received clearance for departure, he handed an envelope to flight attendant Florence Schaffner, inside which was a handwritten note indicating the presence of a bomb. Schaffner reluctantly took her place beside him, catching sight of what appeared to be eight sticks of dynamite in his briefcase. Cooper’s demands were clear: $200,000 in cash, four parachutes, and a fuel truck ready for the plane’s refueling in Seattle. A threat of catastrophic action loomed if his demands were not met. Once the flight was airborne, Schaffner reported the situation to the cockpit crew, while another flight attendant named Tina Mucklow remained by Cooper’s side, acting as an intermediary between him and the rest of the crew. For the next hour and a half, Flight 305 maintained a holding pattern near Seattle, as authorities at various levels rushed to secure the ransom and the parachutes. Ten thousand $20 bills were procured from a local bank, and the parachutes were supplied by the owner of a nearby skydiving school. The flight finally touched down in Seattle more than two hours past its scheduled time, under the cover of night. The ransom and parachutes were handed over to Mucklow in exchange for permitting passengers and two flight attendants to disembark. Cooper now requested to be flown to Mexico City, with specific flight parameters and equipment conditions. Two of his conditions could not be met initially. First, the specified flight configuration wouldn’t allow for a non-stop flight to Mexico City, leading to a refueling stop in Reno, Nevada. Second, the ventral staircase could not be extended upon departure. Cooper consented to retract the stairs with the condition that Mucklow remained with him to teach him how to extend them in-flight. After a delay in Seattle due to refueling challenges, Flight 305 resumed its journey and Cooper instructed Mucklow to stay out of the cockpit and not disturb him. Shortly after takeoff, Cooper was last seen standing in the aisle, seemingly preparing to jump. Mucklow joined the rest of the crew in the cockpit, locked the door behind her, and, three hours later, Flight 305 safely landed in Reno. However, when the crew ventured to the rear of the cabin, they found no sign of Cooper or the bomb, except for a slightly damaged, extended aft stairway. It was apparent that, somewhere between Seattle and Reno, Cooper had donned a parachute, descended the stairs, and vanished into the dark night.
Chapter 2 – The Manhunt Begins:
The realization that Cooper was no longer on board prompted the swift arrival of numerous FBI agents, but they discovered only a limited amount of physical evidence, including a black clip-on tie, eight cigarette butts, and two of the four parachutes. Cooper seemed to have taken the ransom and the briefcase with him. Descriptions of Cooper from interviews conducted on the night of the hijacking characterized him as a middle-aged white man with brown eyes and dark hair, who wore a dark trench coat, a dark suit, a white shirt, a black tie, and dark shoes. He had also donned sunglasses after boarding. Based on this description, the FBI produced the first of several composite sketches. Determining when Cooper left the plane presented challenges, as no crew members or fighter jet pilots escorting the flight witnessed the jump due to the late hour. However, the crew noticed an oscillation or vibration of the aircraft roughly 10 minutes after the last communication with Cooper, suspecting it might be linked to his jump. This addressed the “when” aspect of the escape. As for the “where,” Cooper had not specified a route, allowing the Captain to choose the flight path. They followed an airway known as Victor 23, estimating that the most likely location of Cooper’s jump was about 40 kilometers north of Portland. The FBI commenced a vast search operation with helicopters, airplanes, and ground troops at dawn, but the expansive, rugged terrain and adverse weather complicated the effort.
Chapter 3 – Follow the Money:
By early December, the FBI shifted its focus to the $200,000 ransom, meticulously documented with serial numbers. This enabled authorities to share the serial numbers with various entities, making it challenging for Cooper to spend the money. Rewards were offered by Northwest Airlines and newspapers for anyone who found a note with a matching serial number. However, no such discoveries occurred until almost a decade later. In 1980, a young boy named Brian Ingram uncovered three bundles of cash totaling $5,880 while building a campfire on a beach in southern Washington. The money was found to match the ransom serial numbers, raising questions about how it ended up so far from the expected drop zone. Theories emerged, including the possibility of a different drop zone closer to the Washougal River. This find added complexity to the investigation.
Chapter 4 – A Leap of Faith:
From the outset, there was a prevailing belief that Cooper did not survive his audacious escape. While this outcome may lack the excitement of an alternative conclusion, it’s crucial to acknowledge that reality often differs from the narrative. While there is no concrete evidence for or against Cooper’s survival, the assumption that he met his demise holds merit.
When Cooper leaped into the darkness, Flight 305 was traversing a frigid rainstorm at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet above southern Washington, traveling at roughly 170 knots. The fierce winds were strong enough to dislodge a placard from the aft stairway, which was later found in 1978 nearly directly beneath the estimated flight path. It’s an understatement to say that Cooper was ill-prepared for this endeavor. Moreover, layers of clouds obscured the ground below, likely meaning that Cooper jumped without precise knowledge of his location. Even if he had visibility of the ground and a designated drop zone, the non-steerable parachute he used would have prevented him from directing his descent to a specific landing spot, making coordination with a ground-based accomplice unfeasible.
Though Cooper appeared to have some knowledge of parachutes, the mishap involving the dummy-chute and his selection of an older, technically inferior primary parachute may indicate less expertise than presumed. Nevertheless, these actions might have different explanations. For instance, the dummy-chute might have been used to secure the money, and Cooper’s choice of the older military parachute could indicate familiarity, perhaps from military training. Notably, Cooper mentioned the proximity of McChord Air Force Base to Seattle-Tacoma Airport, possibly suggesting a military background.
Furthermore, Cooper’s selection of a Boeing 727 for hijacking might be more than a random choice. This aircraft was utilized by the CIA for covert operations during the Vietnam War due to its unique aft stairway. Cooper’s knowledge of this feature suggests he understood it provided a relatively safe means of escape. However, his choice of Northwest Airlines was apparently arbitrary, as he stated that Flight 305 was merely in the right place at the right time. While Cooper demonstrated considerable knowledge of aviation and the local terrain, he left minimal evidence, maintained a low profile to prevent panic, concealed his identity with sunglasses, and demanded four parachutes to deceive authorities into believing he was taking a hostage. He was also clever enough to retrieve the initial note he gave to Florence Schaffner. Yet, his lack of detailed planning for the escape route and destination change from Mexico City to Reno and the absence of essential parachuting gear raise questions about the meticulousness of his preparations.
On the other hand, no missing persons report matching Cooper’s description emerged following the hijacking, suggesting the possibility of his survival and a quick, low-profile return to his normal life. Additionally, similar mid-air escapes by other hijackers led to their survival and subsequent apprehension. Despite the challenges of his escape, the absence of concrete evidence regarding Cooper’s fate leaves open the intriguing possibility that he indeed survived.
Chapter 5 – The Suspects:
When the news of the hijacking reached the public, the FBI had already begun investigating several potential suspects. Among them was an individual in Portland with the initials D. B. and the surname Cooper. This particular Cooper was swiftly ruled out as a suspect. However, due to an error by the press, the name Dan Cooper was erroneously transposed to D. B. Cooper, and this misconception became a defining aspect of the case.
While it is highly likely that Dan Cooper used a pseudonym, there is a French comic book series bearing the same name. This series features a Canadian pilot named Dan Cooper. While the comic was not available in English or the United States before 1971, it was accessible in Canada, a country with a significant French-speaking population. Given that distinguishing American and Canadian accents can be challenging, there is a plausible theory that Cooper, described as having no distinct accent, may have been a bilingual Canadian. An interesting hint that supports this idea is the phrase “negotiable American currency” used by the Captain when relaying Cooper’s demands to Air Traffic Control. The inclusion of “American currency” in the phrase could suggest that Cooper was not American. However, it’s essential to note that there is uncertainty regarding whether this phrase directly originated from Cooper or if it was a paraphrase by the Captain. For instance, notes taken by the crew during the hijacking indicate the phrase “negotiable currency,” while post-hijacking testimonies from the crew mention “$200,000 in cash” and “circulated US currency.”
Therefore, there is a possibility that Cooper was Canadian and possibly took inspiration from the Dan Cooper comics for his alias. The precise details remain elusive, leaving room for speculation and intrigue.
Alternatively, just as he could have been American and might have derived his name from another source, it’s worth acknowledging that there are multiple facets to this case. Almost fifty years have elapsed since the hijacking transpired, during which time, countless individuals have been probed and scrutinized as potential D. B. Cooper candidates. Naturally, it’s unfeasible to delve into all these individuals here, but let’s examine a few who, at various points, have aroused suspicion of being D. B. Cooper.
One of the earliest suspects, Robert Rackstraw, came under scrutiny in 1978, presenting a seemingly compelling case at first glance. He was a decorated Army paratrooper and a helicopter pilot with expertise in explosives. He also had an extensive criminal history and, intriguingly, an uncle named John Cooper, a skydiving enthusiast. Rackstraw’s expulsion from the Army shortly before the hijacking might indicate a potential motive, given the hijacker’s mentioned grudge. When questioned by journalists and private investigators, Rackstraw neither affirmed nor categorically denied being D. B. Cooper, often offering cryptic responses such as “I could have been” or “I would not discount myself.” However, there were discrepancies, like his light-colored eyes, which didn’t align with Cooper’s description. Furthermore, Rackstraw’s age of 28 at the time of the hijacking contradicted the mid-forties age range reported by most passengers and crew.
Kenneth Christiansen emerged as a suspect in 2003 when his brother noticed parallels between him and Cooper. Christiansen had briefly served as a paratrooper in World War II and had worked for Northwest Airlines as both a mechanic and a flight attendant since 1953. His age at the time of the hijacking, 45, matched the general description, and he was left-handed, potentially in line with Cooper. Intriguingly, Christiansen apparently left a mysterious statement shortly before his death in 1994: “There is something you should know, but I cannot tell you.” After his passing, his family discovered over $200,000 in his bank accounts. To make matters more intriguing, Florence Schaffner, a flight attendant, mentioned that photographs of Christiansen bore a striking resemblance to Cooper. However, Christiansen fell short in terms of physical description, being shorter and lighter, and there were distinctions in hair, as noted in composite sketches. The large sums of money he accumulated were explained as proceeds from land sales.
Richard McCoy became a suspect in 1972 when he carried out a hijacking similar to D. B. Cooper’s, using a Boeing 727 and escaping via the aft stairway. This shared modus operandi led some to believe the same person was responsible for both hijackings. McCoy used an alias, employed a phony hand-grenade to intimidate the crew, and issued handwritten demands, echoing several elements of the D. B. Cooper case. Both McCoy and Cooper employed the phrase “no funny stuff” as a warning to the crew and demanded $500,000 in cash and four parachutes. McCoy, however, bailed out over Utah, surviving his jump and evading authorities for two days before capture and a 45-year prison sentence. Before his death in 1974, McCoy refrained from confirming or denying his connection to D. B. Cooper. On the other hand, McCoy was an avid recreational skydiver, had skydiving equipment, gave precise flight path instructions, and used an unloaded handgun. He also failed to retrieve one of the notes he had handed to a flight attendant. McCoy’s age, 29 at the time of the hijacking, diverged from the perceived mid-forties age of Cooper, and all three flight attendants confirmed that McCoy was not Cooper. While the cases shared several resemblances, it’s plausible that McCoy was a copycat who had read about D. B. Cooper in the news.
Duane Weber came under suspicion in 1995 when, shortly before his death, he purportedly disclosed to his wife, “I’ve got a secret to tell you. I am Dan Cooper.” Following his deathbed revelation, Weber’s widow remembered numerous intriguing details, including finding a bank bag similar to the one used in the hijacking, claims of Weber sustaining a knee injury after parachuting from an aircraft, and a nightmare involving leaving fingerprints on the aft stairs. Weber, a World War II veteran, possessed an extensive criminal record and corresponded with the physical description. He was 47 years old in 1971. Nevertheless, Weber’s fingerprints didn’t match those collected from Flight 305, although it’s uncertain if any of the prints genuinely belonged to Cooper. Additionally, his DNA didn’t align with the DNA sample from the tie clasp. Regrettably, the evidence contained in eight cigarette butts, likely infused with Cooper’s DNA, was lost and has yet to resurface.
William Smith emerged as a suspect in 2018. He had served in the Navy during World War II, likely gaining parachuting experience. At the time of the hijacking, he was 43, had dark brown eyes, and matched the general physical description. There was a likeness between Smith and composite sketches, particularly a speculative sketch of an older D. B. Cooper. A student named Ira Daniel Cooper, who had died in World War II, attended the same high school as Smith. Smith’s professional background in a railroad company’s yardmaster role was noteworthy. An electron microscope examination of the tie left behind by Cooper revealed various metallic particles, including rare pure titanium, potentially suggesting employment in a chemical or metallurgical facility or a rail yard. However, Smith had spent his life in the northeastern United States, far from the hijacking’s location. This geographic discrepancy lessened his suitability as a suspect.
In conclusion, this limited selection of suspects serves to underscore the formidable challenges of definitively identifying D. B. Cooper in the absence of substantial evidence. Despite the striking dissimilarities among these five individuals, each one could potentially be D. B. Cooper. It remains unclear whether Cooper genuinely appeared.
