'Hijacker added hop to Northwest's puddle jumper' by Paul Henderson
Document date 25 November 1971
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Id: Cooper-Part-53:156-157
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-53:156-157 Document: Clipping 'Hijacker added hop to Northwest's puddle jumper' by Paul Henderson Id: Cooper-Part-53:156-157 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-53%3A156-157 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 53 pp. 156–157 (DB Cooper-22494–22495), News clipping, dated 25 Nov 1971 — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-53%3A156-157
FD-350 (Rev. 7-16-63)
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Hijacker added hop to Northwest's puddle jumper
By PAUL HENDERSON Flight 305 originated in Washington, D. C. With stops in Minneapolis, Great Falls and Missoula, Mont., and Spokane and Portland, the flight was described by Northwest Orient as a "puddle jumper."
The last hop was to have been Portland to Seattle. The hijacker added one more — Seattle to Reno — and Northwest Orient had been prepared to "puddle jump" him to Mexico City.
Three stewardesses, three crew members and one hijacker remained in the plane after 36 passengers had departed.
At 6:50 p.m., William Scott, flight captain, advised Northwest control that two of the stewardesses had been permitted off the plane. He had spoken with full composure to this point. Now the pilot's voice reflected anxiety:
"Two stewardesses are in the automobile (the Northwest courier vehicle which had delivered four parachutes and $200,000).
"Just get out here and start pumping gas.
"We have one stewardess remaining with the individual. I hope that truck is full. He's getting awfully antsy. He wants the stewardess sitting back there with him on take-off."
Empty fuel tanks were holding up take-off. A Northwest Orient spokesman said hoses on the first fuel truck had developed vapor lock.
Another problem was the hijacker's requested destination. He said he wanted Mexico City — 2,200 air miles. The hijacker also called for a flaps-down flight at low altitude.
At that "configuration," a Northwest spokesman explained, maximum range of the 727 would be 1,000 miles. Northwest control began studying optional flight plans which it hoped would be acceptable to the hijacker.
Northwest control: "Seattle to Phoenix might be possible. But it is doubtful."
"Tell him that Reno makes a must-be choice for a wise
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(Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.)
p. G1& The Seattle Times, Seattle, Wash.
Date: 11/25/71 Edition: Author: Paul Henderson Editor: Henry McLeod Title: UNSUB; Northwest Airlines, Flight 305 Portland to Seattle Character: 11/24/71 or CAA-HIJACKING;EXT Classification: 164-81 Submitting Office: Seattle
☐ Being Investigated
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COPY SENT TO BUREAU [partially illegible stamps] [illegible] 71 SEATTLE
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DB Cooper-22494
hijacker. "And be sure he under- stands that you can't take off with the door down." The hijacker had posed the question. Could the plane fly with the rear staircase down? It figured into the bail-out that was a part of the escape plan. Northwest officials surmised. Minimum speed, induced by lowered flaps, low altitude and a staircase leading to a safe jump. Northwest control (7:20 p. m.): "If you have to go to Mexico City, a second stop would be Yuma." Scott: "OK, we'll plan on the second stop in Yuma. We have completed fueling. The stairs have been removed. He has agreed to let us take
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off. "He just called up and told us to get the show on the road." Northwest control: "We'll keep you posted." Scott: "OK. Thank you, Sir." "He has indicated that he wants us to keep it below 1,- 000 feet. We'll take leave of you until we are in a position ourselves for take-off." Northwest control: You are cleared for take-off whenever you are ready. Good luck on 'er.' Scott: "Sorry for the trou- ble." Northwest control: "That's all right, Captain. No prob- lem." Flight 305 lifted into the darkness on its final leg at
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7:37 p. m. A Northwest spokesman said Tina Muck- low, stewardess, was permit- ted to join Scott; Robert Ra- taczak, first officer, and H. E. Anderson, second officer, in the cockpit shortly after take-off.
Crew members had fol- lowed the hijacker's instruc- tions to leave the rear stair- case unbolted. The door was open and the staircase partly extended when Flight 305 landed at Reno 3½ hours lat- er. [illegible]
The hijacker was not on the plane. The crew reported he had been glimpsed in the back, 30 minutes before ar- rival, with a parachute strapped on, ready to jump. Outside, in the darkness, it was 7 below zero. [illegible]
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DB Cooper-22495
Serials: SE 164-81