Interview of Northwest Airlines flight attendant re Flight 305 hijacking (Las Vegas)

FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date 11/30/71

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[REDACTED] residence [REDACTED] was interviewed at the Reno Airport, Reno, Nevada, on the late evening of November 24, 1971, and early morning hours of November 25, 1971. She identified herself as a hostess on Northwest Airlines Flight 305.

Shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, en route to Seattle, Washington, in the afternoon hours of November 24, 1971, a male passenger on the flight, who was seated in 18-E, gave a note to Hostess [REDACTED] showed the note to Hostess [REDACTED] who was also in the rear passenger compartment. The note indicated that the male individual was hijacking the plane and wanted the hostess to sit beside him. The note further indicated that he had a bomb and wanted $200,000.00. [REDACTED] stated she went back to the male passenger seated in 18-E with the note, at which time he indicated that he was hijacking the plane and was not kidding. He added that he wanted "no funny stuff". He had a black attache-type case in his lap, which case was partially open and he had his hand inside same. At this time [REDACTED] sat down alongside the individual in seat 18-D and after lighting a cigarette for the passenger, she told him that they would cooperate. Her best recollection is that it was while he told her he wanted no kidding and no funny stuff that he first partially opened the attache case and permitted her to see the contents. She recalls the contents as approximately eight cylindrical objects about six to eight inches long with four of the items being placed on top of the others and banded together with some kind of tape. She also recalled some covered and uncovered wiring running from the cylindrical objects to a dry cell type battery which had terminals on one end. She could not recall whether the wires were connected to the terminals. The battery was described as approximately eight inches long and about two and one-half inches in diameter. She stated that she had the impression upon observing the contents of the attache case that it was

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64-81-1036 SEARCHED _______ INDEXED _______ SERIALIZED /VM FILED DEC 18 1971 FBI — SEATTLE

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11/24/71 at Reno, Nevada File # LV 164-60 BA H. E. HINDERLITER, JR. SAC HAROLD E. CAMPBELL, JR. (HEC:tlw) Date dictated 11/26/71 This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

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dynamite; however, she is unfamiliar with the appearance of dynamite and could only describe it as stated above, adding that it was of a reddish rusty color.

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[REDACTED] then advised the pilot's compartment of the fact the plane was being hijacked via the intercom. She used the intercom while remaining in her seat inasmuch as it was close by and she could reach same from her seated position. It was with a pre-arranged signal of bells that she so advised the pilot's compartment. She also at that time on a plain envelope wrote out the demands of the hijacker, listing that he wanted four parachutes including two back packs and two chest packs, $200,000.00 in cash in small bills and that he wanted all this "by five o'clock". She recalls that [REDACTED] delivered this note to the pilot's compartment inasmuch as the hijacker insisted that she be physically present alongside him at all times. She recalled that she sat with him almost the entire time of the flight.

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[REDACTED] recalled that during the flight from Portland to Seattle, all passengers were moved at least three rows forward from where the hijacker was seated. She stated that at one time he commented that "the bomb" he had was electrically fused and he certainly hoped the crew would not generate any electrical currents which would trigger it. In response to her query as to why he had chosen a Northwest airplane to hijack, she related his statement to the effect that he had "a grudge" but not against Northwest Airlines, adding that the Northwest plane just happened to be in the right place at the right time. In response to her query at one time during their conversation as to where he came from, [REDACTED] stated the hijacker was adamant in his refusal to answer and seemed somewhat provoked by the question. [REDACTED] recalled that frequently during her conversa- tion with the hijacker he kept reminding her that the crew should attempt "nothing funny" and each time she assured him that he would receive the full cooperation of the crew.

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Sometime before going into the landing pattern at the Seattle - Tacoma Airport, the hijacker reiterated his previous instructions that all the items he had requested, including the money and the parachutes, must be available at the airport before he would permit the plane to land. He also instructed that upon landing, [REDACTED] was to be his intermediary in not only delivering messages to the crew but also in transferring the items that he had requested from the ground to him in the aircraft. He specifically instructed that upon landing only one unmarked automobile should approach the aircraft and it should approach and park in such a position that the hijacker could observe it at all times. He also instructed that the pickup rig which delivers the exit stairway to the forward compartment of the aircraft be available immediately upon landing in order that [REDACTED] could go out the forward door and contact the intermediary in the unmarked car to obtain the items he had requested. Additionally, he instructed that a fuel truck be available in the area upon landing and same fuel truck was to be manned by only one employee. He was insistent that every condition be met and that everything be available on the ground prior to the landing of the aircraft.

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[REDACTED] recalls that the aircraft went into a holding pattern for a period of time she estimated over one hour and she stated she felt this was because all of the items the hijacker had requested were not yet available on the ground.

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After a period of time [REDACTED] said the aircraft landed and an announcement was made from the cockpit rather than by a hostess in the cabin, as is the normal procedure, to the effect that some mechanical difficulty had been en- countered and the passengers were all requested to remain in their seats with their seat belts fastened. [REDACTED] recalls that the hijacker went to the nearby lavatory at this time stating he would return in a few minutes, at which time the stairway to the forward door should be ready. When he went to the lavatory, he closed the attache case and carried it with him. He came out of the lavatory in a matter of three or four minutes and again took the same seat he had occupied.

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When the forward door stairway was attached, [REDACTED] departed the aircraft through the forward door as soon as the stairs were put in place. She noted there was one car parked at approximately ten o'clock to the aircraft, the pickup rig was in the area and a fuel truck immediately went about attempting refueling of the aircraft. She stated she obtained a bag from an unknown male individual who got out of the car which was parked near the aircraft and although she is unable to recall the precise wording, she was told that the bag contained the money requested. She took the bag reportedly containing the money back to seat 18-E, which seat was still occupied by the hijacker. He opened the bag and inspected the contents which [REDACTED] said she observed was money packed in small packages with bank-type bands around each package. Having inspected the money in a cursory fashion, the hijacker stated that "it looked okay" and then indicated to [REDACTED] that the crew could now permit the passengers to deplane. She stated that she called the cockpit on the intercom with this message and an announce- ment was made from the cockpit that passengers could at that time disembark. [REDACTED] recalled that she, in an attempt at being humorous, stated to the hijacker while the passengers were unloading that there was obviously a lot of money in the bag and she wondered if she could have some. The hijacker immediately agreed with her suggestion and took one package of the money, denominations unrecalled by [REDACTED] and handed it to her. She returned the money, stating to the hijacker that she was not permitted to accept gratuities or words to that effect. In this connection [REDACTED] recalled that at one time during the flight the hijacker had pulled some single bills from his pocket and had attempted to tip all the girls on the crew. Again they declined in compliance with company policy.

After the passengers deplaned, [REDACTED] stated that in accordance with instructions from the hijacker, she went out to get the parachutes he had requested. She brought back one large parachute (back pack) first, stating that she could only carry one parachute of this kind at a time. It was after she brought this first parachute into the aircraft that he told her to lower all the window shades in his section of the aircraft. After pulling down these shades, [REDACTED]

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then again left the aircraft and this time brought back the two smaller parachute packs (chest packs) and gave these to the hijacker. She made a last trip from the aircraft then to obtain another of the large parachute packs (another back pack). All of the parachutes were given to the hijacker and he was observed by [REDACTED] to be looking them over as she left them with him. She also recalled that at this time all hostesses and male crew members were still aboard the aircraft.

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At this point [REDACTED] recalls discussing with the hijacker what the instructions were regarding future destination of the flight. Up to this point he had refused to tell her where he would order the flight to go. At this time, however, he told her not to worry, the flight was not going to Havana but it would go to a "pleasant place".

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[REDACTED] said that she obtained one of her pay sheets and by this time did have a pencil and took down the following instructions from the hijacker:

"Going to Mexico City -- or anyplace in Mexico -- nonstop -- gear down -- flaps down -- don't go over 10,000 feet altitude -- all cabin lights out -- do not again land in the States for fuel or any other reason -- no one behind the first class section".

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[REDACTED] forwarded this information to the cockpit and the hijacker also indicated that he wanted takeoff made with the rear door open and the stairs extended for takeoff. He had also indicated that in addition to the passengers, all of the hostesses would be allowed to exit the aircraft prior to their departure.

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The crew, through [REDACTED] informed the hijacker that takeoff in that aircraft with the door open and stairs extended would be an impossibility, and it was finally agreed that takeoff would be made with the door closed, stairs retracted, and [REDACTED] would remain on board to lower the door and stairs after the aircraft was airborne.

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The hijacker further indicated to [REDACTED] that as soon as this lowering of the door and stairs were accomplished in flight, she would be permitted to go to the pilot's compartment. During the period of furnishing these conditions, the hijacker became extremely annoyed over the time required to refuel the plane as he had ordered.

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The hijacker displayed an extensive knowledge of the aircraft and seemed specifically well informed in refueling procedures to the point that the crew had difficulty in convincing him that only 96% of the required fuel was on board at the time he was protesting the fact that refueling had not been completed. It was also during this time (when he was upset concerning refueling) that he complained to [REDACTED] also that he had requested the money be delivered to him in a knapsack and instead it was delivered in a cloth bank-type bag, which displeased him. It was at this time that [REDACTED] recalls he stated that he would be forced to use one of the parachutes to rewrap the money since he had not been furnished a knapsack container. [REDACTED] recalled that it was at about this time she observed a small green paper bag (contents unknown). She stated that she recalled no other packages or luggage belonging to the hijacker except for the attache case and this small green paper bag. She also recalls that it was at about this time she again offered to get him something to eat or drink, which offer he refused as he had several previous offers. She clearly recalled that he accepted no refreshments of any kind while he was on board the aircraft.

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[REDACTED] recalled that it was at this time that the hijacker requested that all notes, including the one he had furnished to [REDACTED] and those written by [REDACTED] to be returned to him. In this connection she also recalled that he was a chain smoker. At one time she lit a cigarette for him with the last match in the paper match folder. When she attempted to discard the empty card folder, the hijacker decisively took it from her and placed it into one of his

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pockets, stating he did not want her to throw it away. She recalled that he smoked Raleigh filter tips. In commenting concerning the hijacker's actions in general, she stated that she recalled some conversation to the effect that the parachutes were coming from Mc Chord Air Force Base. The hijacker remarked that it was about 20 minutes from Mc Chord to the Seattle - Tacoma Airport. She also recalled that while they were in the holding pattern prior to landing, he at one time looked out the window and observed "We're over Tacoma now". [REDACTED] indicated that there had been no announcement or no mention that the aircraft was over Tacoma and she accordingly concluded that the hijacker was familiar with the area.

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After refueling was completed and takeoff appeared imminent, the crew called on the intercom and advised that after checking with appropriate authorities, they had been told that the fuel load would not permit them to fly nonstop to Mexico City, or anywhere in Mexico, in fact. They pointed out that the range of fuel was such that they recommended landing to refuel somewhere in the San Francisco, California area. The hijacker countered with Phoenix, Arizona, as an alternative landing for refueling. When the crew responded in the negative due to the distance to Phoenix, Arizona, he at that time stated the aircraft could make Yuma, Arizona, or Reno, Nevada, and he preferred a landing in Reno, Nevada. The crew called back and stated they would proceed to Reno, Nevada.

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[REDACTED] stated that upon takeoff from Seattle, the hijacker was in seat 18-D or E (occupying both seats at various times) and she was seated across the aisle in 18-C. It was during this time, as she recalls it, that he was occupied with opening one of the parachute packs (recalling the color of the parachute as a bright pink-orange color) and attempting to in some way pack the money in a parachute container in order that he could in some way attach it to his body along with the regular parachute straps. Her recollections in this regard were vague, but she stated she clearly recalled his removing a small jack knife from his pocket and cutting some portion of either the outside container or the parachute in order to

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secure the money in this rather than in the white bank-type bag which he had been furnished. Her recollection was that she did not see him tampering with the two large parachute containers other than to cursorily inspect them when she had brought them aboard.

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After the plane was airborne, there was conversation between [REDACTED] and the hijacker regarding her opening the rear door and extending the stairway. She told him that she was fearful of being sucked out of the airplane and, accordingly, wanted to tie an emergency safety rope around her waist and attach it to a seat in order to prevent being sucked out of the door when she opened it. He told her at that time it would not be necessary for her to use the emergency safety rope inasmuch as he would cut one of the parachute shroud lines for her to insure her safety when she opened the door. It was at this time that he was still working with the para- chute to in some way secure the money to his body. Shortly thereafter he asked her to demonstrate to him the procedure for opening the rear door and extending the stairway. She did this and was under the impression that he understood how to do it. She commented that it occurred to her at this time that this was the only function of the aircraft which she had discussed with the hijacker during the time she had been with him which he did not seem to be fully aware of. She stated that as a matter of fact, he had even shown a knowledge of where the oxygen bottles were located at an earlier time, which information she felt is normally known only to air crew personnel. While she could not recall specifically, she stated there were several other comments he made which indicated to her that he had an extensive technical knowledge of this particular type of aircraft and perhaps aircraft and flying in general. She also commented that he appeared to be completely familiar with the parachutes which had been furnished to him.

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It was estimated by [REDACTED] that in less than five minutes after takeoff, the hijacker suddenly told her to go forward of the aft compartment, to close the curtain behind her and not to return to the rear compartment again. She

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quickly complied with this request, going to the first class cabin, closing the curtain behind her, then proceeding to the cockpit and closing and locking the cockpit door behind her. She did not thereafter leave the pilot's com- partment and had no further conversation with the hijacker face to face or via the intercom.

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[REDACTED] furnished the following physical description of the unknown subject, it being noted that [REDACTED] is approximately 5'8" in height and she observed the hijacker in a seated position except for the brief period when he went to the lavatory. She also commented that at no time did he remove the dark glasses he was wearing and consequently, she was unable to observe his eyes or eyebrows:

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Race White Sex Male Age Mid 40's Height 5'10" to 6' Weight 180 to 190 pounds Build Medium, well built Hair Dark brown, had sideburns partially past ears, hair parted and combed back Complexion Medium, smooth Characteristics Wore dark rimmed wrap-around glasses with black frames, concealed eyes entire time; Had no accent, possibly from West or Midwest; Had low voice Clothing Dark top coat, brown suit, brown shoes, and noted black tie and tie tack found on plane was possibly his.

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