Page 2: parachute expert Cossey on the hijacker's jump survivability
Part of: Interview of Earl J. Cossey, master parachute rigger, Seattle Sky Sports
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Id: Cooper-Part-112:057-057
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-112:057-057 Document: Report page 2: parachute expert Cossey on the hijacker's jump survivability Id: Cooper-Part-112:057-057 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-112%3A057-057 What is wrong (title, date, type, which pages belong together, copies)? What does the scan show?
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FBI 164-81, Vault Part 112 p. 57 (DB Cooper-7094), Report — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-112%3A057-057
2 SE 164-81
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as it would be impossible to hold anything in his hand when the parachute opened. Mr. COSSEY said it would be quite possible to parachute from a 727 jet if the jet was below 10,000 feet and flying at a very slow rate of speed. The person jumping from the plane would have to free fall to earth for several thousand feet to slow himself down and get himself in position for the back pack to open. Even an experienced parachutist would experience considerable shock from the chute opening, however, this would cause little or no personal injury. He said that anyone who had six or seven practice jumps could accomplish this as the first five jumps would be on a static line and the subsequent jumps would be free fall.
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He said that jumping at night materially increases the chance of injury and in this case he would consider the parachutists chances of not being injured as "nill." Mr. COSSEY said the back pack used by the hijacker is non-steerable and he would have no chance of slowing down or picking the spot on which to land. Also at night he would be unable to gauge his distance to the ground which would result in a much harder impact. It was his opinion the skyjacker would suffer severe ankle and or leg injuries from this jump.
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Mr. COSSEY said that the fact the hijacker wore street shoes would also increase the chance that he would be injured on landing as the most experienced jumpers wear jump boots or some rigid ankle support.
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Mr. COSSEY expressed the opinion that the pilot of the jet would notice some oscillation when the hijacker departed the rear of the aircraft.
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DB Cooper-7094
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Serials: SE 164-81