League of Mysteriologists – Public Archive
Subject: The Mystery of D.B. Cooper – America’s Only Unsolved Airplane Hijacking
Introduction: The Skyjacker Who Vanished Without a Trace
On November 24, 1971, a man identifying himself as Dan Cooper boarded Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 in Portland, Oregon, bound for Seattle, Washington. Dressed in a dark suit, tie, and sunglasses, he appeared to be an ordinary businessman.
But within minutes of takeoff, Cooper passed a chilling note to a flight attendant—claiming he had a bomb in his briefcase. What followed was one of the most daring crimes in American history: the hijacking of a Boeing 727, a ransom demand of $200,000 in cash, and an unbelievable escape by parachute into the stormy Pacific Northwest wilderness.
Despite a massive FBI investigation, D.B. Cooper, as he became known, was never found. His true identity, whereabouts, and fate remain one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in U.S. history.
This archive entry examines the hijacking, the investigation, and the enduring theories surrounding the only unsolved case of air piracy in America.
The Hijacking: A Carefully Executed Crime
The events of November 24, 1971 unfolded with a precision that suggested prior planning and expertise.
Boarding & The Initial Threat
- Cooper purchased a one-way ticket for $20 under the name Dan Cooper (mistakenly reported as “D.B.” by the media).
- He took Seat 18C in the rear of the plane, ordered a bourbon and soda, and quietly handed flight attendant Florence Schaffner a note.
- The note read: “Miss, I have a bomb in my briefcase. I want you to sit beside me.”
The Ransom Demand & Safe Landing in Seattle
- Cooper calmly opened his briefcase, revealing red cylinders with wires and batteries—a convincing homemade bomb.
- He demanded:
- $200,000 in cash (all in $20 bills).
- Four parachutes (two primary, two reserve).
- A fuel truck ready in Seattle for refueling.
- The pilots relayed the demands to Northwest Orient headquarters, which quickly agreed to pay the ransom.
- Flight 305 landed in Seattle at 5:39 PM, where the money and parachutes were delivered.
The Getaway: A Parachute Escape into the Unknown
- After releasing the 36 passengers, Cooper ordered the pilots to take off again, instructing them to fly at 10,000 feetwith the landing gear down—ideal conditions for a parachute jump.
- At 8:13 PM, somewhere over the dense forests of Washington and Oregon, Cooper opened the rear staircase of the plane and jumped into the night—vanishing forever.
The FBI Investigation: The Hunt for D.B. Cooper
The FBI launched the largest manhunt in U.S. history, known as NORJAK (Northwest Hijacking). Despite extensive searches, no trace of Cooper was found.
Key Evidence Left Behind
- Black clip-on tie (with rare titanium particles).
- Eight Raleigh cigarette butts (later lost by the FBI).
- FBI ransom bill serial numbers (used in later investigations).
The 1980 Discovery: $5,800 in Buried Cash
In 1980, an eight-year-old boy, Brian Ingram, discovered $5,800 of the ransom money buried along the Columbia River near Tena Bar, Washington.
- The bills matched the FBI’s recorded serial numbers, confirming they came from Cooper’s ransom.
- However, the rest of the money was never recovered.
Theories & Explanations: Who Was D.B. Cooper?
Despite thousands of suspects, the true identity of Cooper remains unknown. Several theories have emerged over the years:
1. Did Cooper Survive the Jump?
- Skeptics argue that Cooper’s jump into freezing temperatures, rough terrain, and high winds would have been suicidal.
- Supporters claim Cooper was a trained paratrooper who planned his landing zone and may have survived undetected.
2. Was It an Inside Job?
- Some suspect Cooper had insider knowledge of the Boeing 727’s rear stair function, suggesting military or aviation experience.
- Theory: He may have been a disgruntled airline or aerospace employee.
3. Was the Money a Diversion?
- Some believe Cooper hid the majority of the money elsewhere and intentionally planted some bills at Tena Bar to mislead investigators.
Prime Suspects: Could One of These Men Be Cooper?
1. Robert Rackstraw
- Former Army pilot and ex-convict, known for faking his own death.
- Matched Cooper’s description and had parachuting experience.
- Denied involvement and later dismissed by the FBI.
2. Kenneth Christiansen
- Former Northwest Orient employee with deep knowledge of Boeing aircraft.
- Confessed to family members on his deathbed that he was “involved.”
- Lacked physical resemblance to Cooper.
3. Richard Floyd McCoy
- Hijacked a plane in 1972 using nearly identical tactics.
- Captured and later killed in a police shootout.
- Did not fully match Cooper’s physical description.
Despite these suspects, the FBI closed the case in 2016, citing a lack of credible new evidence.
Legacy & Cultural Impact
The D.B. Cooper case has become a legend in American crime history, inspiring:
- Films & TV Shows (Without a Trace, Prison Break, Loki).
- Books & Documentaries (The Last Master Outlaw, History’s Greatest Mysteries).
- Annual CooperCon gatherings, where theorists continue debating his fate.
The case remains one of the most famous unsolved crimes in the world, with amateur sleuths still hunting for cluestoday.
Conclusion: The Man, the Myth, the Mystery
The mystery of D.B. Cooper endures because no body, no parachute, and no definitive identity have ever been found.
Yet questions remain:
- Did Cooper survive the jump and disappear into obscurity?
- Was the buried ransom a red herring?
- Is there still undiscovered evidence hidden in the Pacific Northwest?
Until these mysteries are solved, D.B. Cooper remains the only successful skyjacker to escape justice, securing his place in the annals of criminal folklore.
Would you dare to search for the missing fortune?
End of Public Archive Entry