Interview of Earl J. Cossey re parachutes furnished to hijacker
This copy: Part 72 pp. 84–86Also filed at Part 64 pp. 108–110 (primary)
This copy’s own title
Interview of parachute rigger Earl J. Cossey describing the missing chutes
Transcribed 6 May 1972
Another copy of this document is the primary, most legible copy: Part 64 pp. 108–110.
Copies may differ in what was redacted.
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Id: Cooper-Part-72:084-086
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-72:084-086 Document: FD-302 interview of parachute rigger Earl J. Cossey describing the missing chutes Id: Cooper-Part-72:084-086 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-72%3A084-086 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 72 pp. 84–86 (DB Cooper-30903–30905), FD-302 interview, transcribed 6 May 1972 — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-72%3A084-086
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FD-302 (REV. 11-27-70)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date of transcription 5-6-72
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EARL J. COSSEY, 349 No. 101st, Seattle, telephone SU. 3-0475, who is employed for the remainder of the school year at Sharples Junior High School, 3928 South Graham, Seattle, telephone PA. 5-3562, furnished the following infor- mation:
The back parachute, as well as the orange colored chest chute, both of which had been left on flight 305, were examined by Mr. COSSEY, after which he advised that he had personally packed these two chutes as well as the other back pack and the other chest pack which were taken by the hijacker when he left the aircraft. COSSEY advised that he personally made up the back pack, also referred to as an "emergency chute" from com- ponent parts which he either had in his shop or which he pur- chased for the occasion.
He explained that [REDACTED] of Hayden Manu- facturing Company at Renton, Washington, had need for two emergency parachutes. The one that is now in possession of the FBI was one of those packed by COSSEY and is a 26' white canopy parachute.
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The missing back chute was described as follows:
Main Chute
28' flat, circular chute made of white nylon and white cords. This chute, because of its flat circular shape will have precisely 28 panels and they will be numbered 1 thru 28. The number is very clear on each panel. In addition, one of the panels, probably panel 28, and if not there, on the cen- ter panel, there will appear a large identification which will show the name of the manufacturer, when the chute was made, the military contract number under which made and will have a precise serial number.
Pilot Chute
Made of white nylon (not measured), white shroud cords and is described as a Model A-3 "soft top".
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Interviewed on 5-31-72 at Seattle, Washington File # SE 164-81
by SA CHARLES E. FARRELL/ldk Date dictated 6-6-72
DB Cooper-30903
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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164-81-Sub [illegible]
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b6 b7C
SE 164-81
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Harness & Container
A Sage Green Navy N.B.-6 harness which does not have a D-ring, which is used to attach a chest parachute to the back pack. The container itself is a Sage Green nylon. Both the harness and container were Navy surplus and will have a label on the outside of the container to identify the Navy contract number and probably the name of the company which made it.
COSSEY advised that all chutes are identified to the particular chute by a serial number placed thereon by the manu- facturer. In addition, a parachute must be repacked perio- dically and the missing parachute was repacked by COSSEY and the date as well as other identifying data placed on a card which is then inserted in a pocket on the container.
COSSEY advised that his records do contain the serial numbers of the various parachutes that he has made and/or in- spected and that he would check his record for the serial num- ber of the missing parachute.
COSSEY advised that the missing parachute is made up of a surplus Navy harness and container and that he very definitely would be able to identify the chute.
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DB Cooper-30904
SE 164-81
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The missing chext chute was described as follows:
Main Chute
This is actually the only chute in the chest pack as there is no pilot chute. This chute is white nylon with white shroud lines and was actually made up by COSSEY from a parachute which had been scrapped. COSSEY said he doubts if the serial number is still on the chute because he cut the parachute in half and then sewed it together. He did this in order to make the chute small enough to fit into the container. COSSEY explained that the chute was placed in a container and was used for training purposes of students learning to parachute and was not intended ever to be used as a real parachute.
He said the trainee was suspended approximately three feet from the ground during part of his training process and simulated operating the back pack as well as the chest chute.
COSSEY advised that he very definitely would be able to identify the chest pack whether or not there is a serial number on it. However, if there is a serial number on it, COSSEY said he would have made no record of it because it was a scrapped chute.
COSSEY also explained that an experienced jumper who inspected the dummied up chest chute probably would be aware that it was not operable.
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DB Cooper-30905
Serials: SE 164-81