March 15, 2023 By Mike
The D.B. Cooper Hijacking: A Mystery that Still Captivates the World
The D.B. Cooper hijacking is one of the most infamous cases in aviation history. On November 24, 1971, a man identifying himself as Dan Cooper (later misidentified by the media as D.B. Cooper) boarded a Northwest Orient Airlines flight from Portland to Seattle. Shortly after takeoff, he handed a note to a flight attendant, claiming he had a bomb in his briefcase and demanding $200,000 in ransom money and four parachutes.
What followed was a tense drama that lasted for several hours and ended with Cooper parachuting out of the plane, with the ransom money in hand, somewhere over the Pacific Northwest. Despite an extensive search effort and numerous leads, Cooper was never found, and the case remains unsolved to this day.
In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the D.B. Cooper hijacking, exploring the events leading up to the incident, the hijacking itself, and the aftermath that followed.
The Hijacking
The D.B. Cooper hijacking began at approximately 2:50 p.m. on November 24, 1971, when the Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 took off from Portland. Cooper, who was wearing a dark suit and tie, ordered a bourbon and soda from Florence Schaffner, one of the flight attendants. Shortly after, he handed her a note, which read:
“I have a bomb in my briefcase. I will use it if necessary. I want you to sit next to me. You are being hijacked.”
Schaffner sat down next to Cooper, and he showed her the contents of his briefcase, which appeared to be a device made of red sticks and wires. Cooper then ordered her to write down his demands: $200,000 in “negotiable American currency,” four parachutes, and a fuel truck standing by in Seattle to refuel the plane upon arrival.
Upon landing in Seattle, the ransom was delivered, and Cooper allowed the passengers and some of the crew to leave the plane. He then instructed the remaining crew to fly towards Mexico City at a low altitude, with the rear stairs of the plane open. Cooper then jumped out of the plane, with the money and the parachutes, somewhere over the Pacific Northwest.
Despite an extensive search effort involving the FBI and local law enforcement, Cooper was never found. However, in 1980, a young boy discovered a bundle of decaying $20 bills on the banks of the Columbia River, which were later confirmed to be a portion of the ransom money.
The Suspects
Over the years, numerous individuals have been suspected of being D.B. Cooper. The most famous suspect was Richard McCoy, a former Green Beret and skydiving instructor who hijacked a plane in 1972 using a method similar to Cooper’s. McCoy was later killed in a shootout with law enforcement in Virginia, and some investigators believe he may have been responsible for both hijackings.
Other suspects have included Duane Weber, a career criminal who allegedly confessed to the crime on his deathbed, and Robert Rackstraw, a former Army helicopter pilot who was considered a prime suspect until his death in 2019.
Despite numerous leads and suspects, the identity of D.B. Cooper remains a mystery to this day, and the case remains one of the FBI’s most famous unsolved cases.
The Legacy of D.B. Cooper
The D.B. Cooper hijacking has captured the imagination of the public for over 50 years. The case has inspired countless books, documentaries, and even a feature film. It has also spawned numerous theories and speculation about the identity of the hijacker and his ultimate fate.
The case has become a cultural touchstone, with references to D.B. Cooper appearing in popular media such as TV shows, movies, and songs. The mysterious figure of D.B. Cooper has become a symbol of adventure, rebellion, and daring.
However, the hijacking also had a lasting impact on aviation security. In the aftermath of the D.B. Cooper case, airlines implemented new security measures, such as increased passenger screening, reinforced cockpit doors, and the creation of the Federal Air Marshal Service.
Final Words
The D.B. Cooper hijacking is one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in history. The daring hijacking, the mysterious hijacker, and the lasting legacy of the case have captivated the public for over 50 years. While the case remains unsolved, it continues to fascinate and inspire people all over the world.