SAC J. E. Milnes to all agents summarizing hijacking facts and suspect description
This copy: Part 10 pp. 424–426Also filed at Part 10 pp. 421–423 (primary) · Part 48 pp. 29–31
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SAC J. E. Milnes to all agents summarizing hijacking facts and suspect description (second copy)
Document date 26 November 1971
Another copy of this document is the primary, most legible copy: Part 10 pp. 421–423.
Copies may differ in what was redacted.
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Id: Cooper-Part-10:424-426
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-10:424-426 Document: Memo SAC J. E. Milnes to all agents summarizing hijacking facts and suspect description (second copy) Id: Cooper-Part-10:424-426 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-10%3A424-426 What is wrong (title, date, type, which pages belong together, copies)? What does the scan show?
A person reads every report. Corrections are made by hand, to the data — titles, dates, names, which pages belong together — never to the scans, and they can take a while to appear.
FBI 164-81, Vault Part 10 pp. 424–426 (DB Cooper-1657–1659), Memo, dated 26 Nov 1971, serial SE 164-81-38 (as read from the transcript) — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-10%3A424-426
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 MAY 1962 EDITION GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum
TO : ALL AGENTS (#75) DATE: 11/26/71
FROM : SAC J.E. MILNES
SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SUBJECT; NORTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT #305, PORTLAND TO SEATTLE, 11/24/71 CAA - HIJACKING; EXTORTION OO: SEATTLE
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The following information is being furnished for the assistance of all Agents in covering any leads which might be assigned to them and to properly evaluate any information which might be received from a citizen.
The UNKNOWN SUBJECT apparently boarded the above captioned flight at Portland, Oregon, and since the only person who was not available for interview when the plane arrived in Seattle, was a DAN COOPER, who boarded at Portland, ti is assumed this is the name used by the subject.
Shortly after the plane left Portland, the UNSUB b6 approached Stewardess [REDACTED] and gave her a b7C note telling that the plane was being hijacked. UNKNOWN SUBJECT retrieved that note. [REDACTED] then told Stewardess [REDACTED] who thereafter sat with the subject and transmitted his instructions to the Captain.
When he first announced the hijacking, the UNSUB asked for two parachutes. He later changed his instructions and asked for four parachutes, two back chutes and two chest chutes, plus the $200,000.00. Further, the subject wanted everything collected at SEA-TAC Airport before he would allow the plane to land and he wanted all this done by 5:00 PM. The plane circled SEA-TAC Airport for approximately 1½ hours during which time the parachutes and money was collected and brought to the Airport.
The plane landed at SEA-TAC at approximately 5:45 PM and after the subject knew the money was being brought to him and the gas trucks were at hand, he allowed all the passengers as well as the other two stewardesses to leave the aircraft. [REDACTED] was ordered to remain and he had b6 her bring the parachutes, money, etc., into the aircraft to him. b7C
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1 - Each Agent (2) - SE 164-81 1 - 66-74 (100) Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan 5010-108
Handwritten: 164 -81-38
DB Cooper-1657
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b6 b7C b6 b7C
SE 164-81
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The three male members of the crew remained in the cabin.
When the plane was loaded at Portland, there were 37 passengers plus the 6 members of the crew. When the passengers deplaned at Seattle, only 36 got off with the subject remaining on board.
All the passengers were interviewed but only four saw the subject and were able to give some assistance with descriptive data. The plane departed SEA-TAC at 7:36PM, after being fully gassed. At the instructions of the UNSUB, the flaps were left down at 15 degrees and he also instructed the landing gear remain down and at first wanted the steps to remain down, but it was explained to him that it was mechanically impossible to take off with the steps down. He thereupon agreed that they could be raised for take off but lowered once they were airborne.
The UNSUB mentioned going to Mexico City, but because they would have to refuel, due to the extra drag caused by the flaps down, etc., he agreed to a flight down to Sacramento, and then over to Reno. Shortly after take off from Seattle-Tacoma Airport, the UNSUB had the stewardess show him how to operate the stairs and then told her to go into the First Class Section, which she did, and to close the curtain behind her. She then went into the cabin with the rest of the crew and locked the door after her. A few minutes later they had intercom contact with the subject but the last contact with him was at approximately 8:05 PM.
Within the next 10 minutes, the crew experienced oscillation in the plane and speculated that it was caused by the subject departing the plane by way of the rear door.
The crew of the above airline has now spotted a possible area for this suspected departure of the hijacker to be over Merwin Lake, near Woodland, Washington.
A search is now being conducted by helicopter and ground crews working out of the Woodland Police Department.
The following is a composite description of the UNKNOWN SUBJECT:
Race: White Sex: Male Age: Mid 40s Height: 5'10" to 6' Weight: 170-180 lbs. Build: Average to well
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- 2 - DB Cooper-1658
SE 164-81
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Complexion: Olive, Latin appearance, medium smooth Hair: Dark brown-black, normal style, parted on left, combed back, side burns, low ear level Eyes: Brown to unknown Wore dark glasses w/dark rim, wrap around, much or most of the time. Voice: Low, spoke intelligently. No particular accent. Possibly from Midwest section of the U.S. Characteristic: Heavy smoker of Raleigh filter tip cigarettes Wearing Apparel: Black or brown suit; White shirt; Narrow black tie; Black dress suit; Black rain-type overcoat or dark top coat Dark briefcase or attache case Carried paper bag 4"x12"x14" Brown shoes
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- 3 - DB Cooper-1659
Serials: SE 164-81, SE 164-81-38