SA to SAC Seattle re Boeing 727 technical data and aft airstair operation
This copy: Part 100 pp. 60–61Also filed at Part 24 pp. 670–671 (primary)
This copy’s own title
To SAC Seattle re Boeing engineer statement that a 727 cannot take off with aft stairs deployed
Document date 8 December 1971
Another copy of this document is the primary, most legible copy: Part 24 pp. 670–671.
Copies may differ in what was redacted.
Report a problem
Email this to [email protected]
Id: Cooper-Part-100:060-061
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-100:060-061 Document: Memo to SAC Seattle re Boeing engineer statement that a 727 cannot take off with aft stairs deployed Id: Cooper-Part-100:060-061 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-100%3A060-061 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 100 pp. 60–61 (DB Cooper-44973–44974), Memo, dated 8 Dec 1971 — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-100%3A060-061
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 MAY 1962 EDITION GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum
TO : SAC (164-81)(P) DATE: 12/8/71
FROM : SA [REDACTED] Sub - P. - C. - G.
SUBJECT: UNSUB, aka Dan Cooper; NORTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT 305 PORTLAND TO SEATTLE, 11/24/71 RE: Boeing Technical CAA-HIJACKING; Data EXTORTION OO: SE RE: [REDACTED]
---
On 12/2/71, [REDACTED], Seattle, Washington, furnished the following information:
He was [REDACTED] testing of this aircraft.
It is physically impossible to make a take-off in the 727 with the rear stairs extended. He explained that if this were attempted the stairs would strike the runway at the point of rotation just prior to liftoff.
---
[REDACTED — b3, b6 exemptions applied; substantial block of text withheld]
---
[REDACTED — content withheld]
---
JCN/djs (3) [initials/signature]
[Stamp area:] [illegible routing number: 162.9:81 - ?] SEARCHED ...... SERIALIZED [illegible] FILED DEC 08 1971 [illegible line]
Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan DB COOPER-44973
SE 164-81
---
[REDACTED — b3, b6]
---
On the 727, the rear stairs cannot be lowered from the pilot's compartment. They can be lowered only from the passenger compartment in the rear of the plane or externally if the plane is on the ground.
[REDACTED — b6, b7C] advised that once the operation of the rear stairs has started there is no way to stop them until they have extended to the full position. On the ground when the rear stairs are extended, the weight of the stairs actually carries them to the full open position. If the stairs are extended in flight, the pressure of the wind keeps them from opening to the full position.
On several occasions [REDACTED — b6, b7C] [REDACTED] extended the rear stairs while in flight. This was done at speeds of approximately 150 knots. Opening the rear stairs in flight at speeds at 150 to 170 knots would not suck any items from the passenger cabin. There would be a slight change in pressurization but this would not remove any papers or cushions from the passenger cabin.
---
DB COOPER-44974
Serials: SE 164-81