To SAC Los Angeles re NORJAK handling instructions and case narrative

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum

TO : SAC, LOS ANGELES DATE: 12/14/71

FROM : SUPERVISOR [REDACTED] b6 b7C

SUBJECT: NORJAK (164-497) (P)

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Re Bureau airtels dated 11/29/71, and 12/7/71, and Seattle airtel, dated 12/7/71.

For the information and investigative assistance of all agents assigned leads in captioned matter:

1. All communications in this matter are to bear title of NORJAK.

2. The pertinent area of time to be used in establishing the whereabouts of possible suspects is between 2:00 p. m., and 11:00 p. m., on 11/24/71, or the day before Thanksgiving.

3. When information is developed indicating a possible suspect, offices are requested to determine the whereabouts of the suspects during the pertinent period and no further investigation necessary. If this cannot be done readily, glossy photographs should be obtained and forwarded with copies to Minneapolis, Portland, and Seattle, for display to witnesses.

4. All leads are to be handled in an expedite manner and the Bureau has advised leads are to be set out telephonically and followed by teletype.

5. All communications connected with this matter are to be cleared with SA [REDACTED] b6 Squad 13, to whom this case assigned, so b7C that investigation can be properly coordinated.

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164-497-15 [guess: 6] SERIALIZED [FILED] [partially illegible] CRS/lsp (25) Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan DB Cooper-23171

LA 164-497

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6. Serial numbers of $200,000 given the unknown subject, all in $20 bills, have been furnished by the Bureau. A copy of this list as well as artist's conception of unknown subject's description; is being furnished all agents having leads in this matter.

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NARRATIVE

Shortly after 3:00 p. m., Pacific Standard Time (PST), 11/24/71, a lone white male traveling from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington, on captioned flight displayed the contents of his brief case to a stewardess indicating to her it was. a bomb which would be exploded unless his demands were met. The hijacker indicated his willingness to exchange the safety of the 36 passengers and crew for $200,000 in cash and four parachutes. He instructed that the plane circle the Seattle airport until his demands were met, at which time the plane landed. Once the money and parachutes were loaded and the plane was being refueled, the hijacker allowed the passengers and two airline stewardesses to deplane, leaving a flight crew of three males and one female and the hijacker aboard. The hijacker indicated a desire to fly to Mexico City and instructed the plane to take off flying at a low altitude and slow speed, maintaining a southerly direction. Upon demand the hijacker was instructed on lowering the rear passenger door while the aircraft was in flight. He was last seen in the aircraft by crew members at 8:05 p. m., PST, when he instructed the hostage stewardess to go forward to the first class section and close the curtains behind her. Prior to departing from passenger cabin, hijacker told stewardess the money bag was not in accordance with instructions and to cut up one of the parachutes to rewrap the money, which was done. When the aircraft landed at

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DB Cooper-23172

LA 164-497

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Reno, Nevada, for refueling, the hijacker, two parachutes, the ransom money, and the vinyl brief case had disappeared.

Investigation determined that thehijacker had purchased his ticket at the Portland Airport shortly before the plane's departure. Upon arrival at Seattle, all passengers were accounted for except a white male using the name DAN COOPER. There were no sky marshals aboard this flight and at no time did subject show any firearms..

From information available, the subject is described as white male, mid 40's, 5' 10", to 6', 170 to 180 pounds, average to well built, olive or swarthy complexion, medium smooth, dark brown or black hair parted on left side, combed back, sideburns to low ear level, dark eyes, probably black or brown. Subject wore a dark suit, white shirt, with narrow black tie. He wore dark glasses with plastic rims (possibly prescription lenses) most of the time. He had dark overcoat and was described as cool and calculating. His voice was low. He spoke intelligently and was a heavy smoker of Raleigh filter tip cigarettes.

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CONSIDER THE UNKNOWN SUBJECT DANGEROUS.

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DB Cooper-23173