Letterhead memorandum re NORJAK; Crime Aboard Aircraft - Hijack, Alberta lead

[FBI seal]

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U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

In Reply, Please Refer to File No. 164A-81 October 8, 1981

NORJAK; CRIME ABOARD AIRCRAFT - HIJACK

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On November 24, 1971, a lone white male boarded Northwest Orient Flight #305 at Portland, Oregon. At approximately 3:22 PM while the flight was en route to Seattle, Washington, he indicated to the stewardess that his briefcase contained a bomb which would blow up the plane unless his demands were met.

The hijacker demanded $200,000 and four parachutes in exchange for the safety of the 36 passengers aboard the plane. When the aircraft landed at Seattle, Washington, Northwest Orient Airlines complied with his instructions. After he received the parachutes and the money, the hijacker allowed all passengers and two airline stewardesses to deplane.

He then ordered the remaining crew members into the first-class section of the aircraft and informed them he desired to fly to Mexico City. The hijacker instructed that the plane proceed in a southerly direction and fly at a low altitude and slow speed which would enable the rear door of the plane (Boeing 727) to be opened during the flight.

The hijacker apparently bailed out somewhere between Seattle, Washington, and Reno, Nevada, where the plane landed to refuel. It was determined the hijacker, two parachutes, and the ransom money had disappeared when the plane was inspected at Reno, Nevada.

Artist conception drawings of the aircraft hijacker were prepared by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Exhibit Section and are considered a reasonable likeness. The black and white composites were prepared initially, and some time later the color composites were prepared to depict the hijacker's complexion and age more graphically.

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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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164A-81-8590

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DB Cooper-18963

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b6 b7C

NORJAK; CRIME ABOARD AIRCRAFT - HIJACK

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The hijacker is described as follows:

Race: White Sex: Male Age: Mid 40's Height: 5'10" to 6' Weight: 170 to 180 pounds Complexion: Olive, Latin appearance, medium smooth Hair: Dark brown or black, parted on the left, combed back Eyes: Possibly brown, during later part of flight the hijacker put on dark wrap-around sunglasses with dark rims Voice: Low, spoke intelligently, no particular accent Characteristics: Smoked Raleigh filters type cigarettes Wearing Apparel: Black or brown suit; narrow black tie (clip on type); black rain type overcoat or dark top coat; dark briefcase or attache' case; carried a paper bag - 4 X 12 X 14 inches; brown shoes Remarks: Very polite at all times.

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By communication dated September 23, 1981, the Butte Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation advised that on September 23, 1981, [REDACTED] Alberta Canada, telephone [REDACTED] advised that [REDACTED] who had information regarding the D. B. Cooper case in which an individual hijacked an airliner in the United States and then parachuted from the aircraft.

[REDACTED] turned the telephone conversation over to [REDACTED] who advised that his office telephone number is [REDACTED] and his home telephone number is [REDACTED] in the city of [REDACTED]

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2 DB Cooper-18964

NORJAK; CRIME ABOARD AIRCRAFT - HIJACK

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[REDACTED] advised that one [REDACTED] resides near the community of Caroline in Alberta, Canada. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] stated that until recently, [REDACTED] has been very difficult to converse with. He stated that recently, however, he has caught [REDACTED] in the act of [REDACTED] and since [REDACTED] is dependent upon the continuation of his [REDACTED] for his livelihood, he has become somewhat cooperative and conversant with [REDACTED]

[REDACTED] told [REDACTED] that [REDACTED] who parachuted from the hijacked airplane in the United States, formerly was [REDACTED] [REDACTED] in the Caroline, Alberta, Canada, area. He stated that when he started this [REDACTED] he, himself, put up sixty percent of the financing and that [REDACTED] put up the other forty percent. He stated that that was prior to the hijacking. He stated, however, that some of [REDACTED] are still residing in the area and do work in the [REDACTED]

[REDACTED] did confirm that there are persons by the name of [REDACTED] who do work with [REDACTED] [REDACTED]

[REDACTED] recently told [REDACTED] that he recently saw [REDACTED] north of Caroline, Alberta, Canada, and he was very definite it was him, but he was wearing what appeared to be a wig and false beard. [REDACTED] stated that he approached [REDACTED] but that [REDACTED] ran. [REDACTED] has told [REDACTED] that he believed [REDACTED] probably would continue to be involved in [REDACTED] [REDACTED] type employment.

He stated that [REDACTED] was very much familiar with the back country and packing and [REDACTED] and that type of activity.

[REDACTED] was of the opinion that [REDACTED] probably knows the whereabouts of the person known to him as [REDACTED] [REDACTED]

[REDACTED] stated that the [REDACTED] he knows always carried a gun, and he would assume that he would be dangerous.

[REDACTED] stated that he is aware that someone has made a deposit for purchase of the property of [REDACTED]

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3 DB Cooper-18965