FBI report SE 164-81, NORJAK (D.B. Cooper) summary: administrative cover pages, suspect-processing checklist, unsub profile, hijack narrative, search operations
Document date 30 May 1973
Also filed separately as sections:
- FD-263 cover pages, NORJAK report: administrative, suspect-processing steps and hijacker profile
- FD-263 cover sheet and administrative cover pages A-M, Seattle NORJAK report (suspect-processing checklist and hijacker profile)
- Cover pages A–M, Seattle report re NORJAK, suspect processing steps and profile of the unsub
- FBI report re NORJAK (D.B. Cooper) hijacking: the hijack, logs and records, search areas and maps, terrain searches, current investigation
- FD-263 cover pages to Seattle NORJAK report: administrative data, suspect processing steps, and unsub profile
- FBI summary report re NORJAK hijacking of Northwest Flight 305 (FD-263 cover sheet, cover pages, table of contents and body)
Report a problem
Email this to [email protected]
Id: Cooper-Part-78:228-278
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-78:228-278 Document: FBI report SE 164-81, NORJAK (D.B. Cooper) summary: administrative cover pages, suspect-processing checklist, unsub profile, hijack narrative, search operations Id: Cooper-Part-78:228-278 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-78%3A228-278 What is wrong (title, date, type, which pages belong together, copies)? What does the scan show?
A person reads every report. Corrections are made by hand, to the data — titles, dates, names, which pages belong together — never to the scans, and they can take a while to appear.
FBI 164-81, Vault Part 78 pp. 228–278 (DB Cooper-34100–34150), Report, dated 30 May 1973, serial 276-44-0983 (as read from the transcript) — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-78%3A228-278
FD-263 (Rev. 1-7-72)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
REPORTING OFFICE: [blank] | OFFICE OF ORIGIN: [blank] | DATE: MAY 30 1973 | INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD: 11/24/71 - 5/25/73 SUBTITLE: SEAT' 7.E [Seattle] TITLE OF CASE: UNKNOWN SUBJECT; a.k.a Dan Cooper NORTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT #350 PORTLAND, OREGON, TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, 11/24/71
REPORT MADE BY: [redacted] b6 TYPED BY: [redacted] b7C
CHARACTER OF CASE: CAA - HIJACKING; EXTORTION
---
REFERENCE: Seattle report of SA CHARLES E. FARRELL, dated 2/10/72.
- P -
ADMINISTRATIVE
A code name for this case has been given by the Bureau as "NORJAK" and will be used in all communications.
The purpose of this report is to advise the Bureau and auxiliary offices of the pertinent investigation that has already occurred since SA CHARLES E. FARRELL's report of February 10, 1972, in order to facilitate future NORJAK investigation. Pursuant to this, no copy has been designated for the USA at Seattle.
---
ACCOMPLISHMENTS CLAIMED: X: NONE CONVIC. | FUG. | FINES | SAVINGS | RECOVERIES | ACQUIT-TALS
CASE HAS BEEN: PENDING OVER ONE YEAR: X Yes [illegible]no PENDING PROSECUTION OVER SIX MONTHS: [ ]YES X no
APPROVED: [blank] SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE: COPIES MADE:
FOR COPIES SEE NEXT PAGE
SFFile: 164-81
[signature: illegible] Dissemination Record of Attached Report
DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW
Notations
DB Cooper-34100
SE 164-81
---
COPIES OF THIS REPORT
8-Bureau (164-2111) 2-Albany (164-47) 2-Albuquerque (149-131) 2-Alexandria (164-72) 2-Anchorage (164-59) 2-Atlanta (164-254) 2-Baltimore (164-103) 2-Birmingham (164-35) 2-Boston (164-153) 2-Buffalo (164-46 2-Butte (164-26 2-Charlotte (164-101) 2-Chicago (164-297) 2-Cincinnati (164-55) 2-Cleveland (164-88) 2-Columbia (164-48) 2-Dallas (164-191) 2-Denver (164-93) 2-Detroit (164-115) 2-El Paso (164-52) 2-Honolulu (164-85) 2-Houston (164-118) 2-Indianapolis (164-62) 2-Jackson (164-32) 2-Jacksonville (164-109) 2-Kansas City (164-80) 2-Knoxville (164-35) 2-Las Vegas (164-60) 2-Little Rock (164-22) 2-Los Angeles (164-497) 2-Louisville (164-71) 2-Memphis (164-78) 2-Miami (164-552) 2-Milwaukee (164-36) 2-Minneapolis (164-73) 2-Mobile (164-34) 2-Newark (164-196) 2-New Haven (164-77) 2-New Orleans (164-136) 2-New York (164-627) 2-Norfolk (164-41) 2-Oklahoma City (164-56) 2-Omaha (149-179) 2-Philadelphia (164-133) 2-Phoenix (164-100) 2-Pittsburgh (164-93) 2-Portland (164-41) 2-Richmond (164-74) 2-Sacramento (164-50) 2-St. Louis (164-73) 2-Salt Lake City (164-24) 2-San Antonio (164-111) 2-San Diego (164-91) 2-San Francisco (164-220) 2-San Juan 2-Savannah (164-29) 2-Springfield (164-31) 2-Tampa (164-110) 2-Washington Field (164-169) 3-Seattle
---
DB Cooper-34101
SE 164-81
---
Leads concerning suspects will not be set forth in this report as they are being handled by separate com- munication.
There are currently 637 suspects, 470 of whom have been eliminated. New suspects are being developed and systematic elimination of these suspects continues.
In an effort to facilitate interoffice communi- cations, it is requested that all field offices originating NORJAK communications, not only refer to the appropriate communications but also include the suspect(s) name and alias(es) if known on the first page under the title NORJAK.
For the information of all field offices, the Bureau advised by airtel September 13, 1972, that this is the only aircraft hijacking in which the subject has not been identified and apprehended nor the ransom money recovered. All leads in this important case are to be set forth expeditiously. The investigation of this case is to be vigorously pursued in all facets in order to bring it to a successful completion.
It is noted that the investigative period overlaps previous NORJAK reports. This has been done since previous reports were not distributed to all field offices.
It is noted that Unsub in this matter is almost universally called "D. B. COOPER" by the press, the public, and even by Bureau personnel. Factually, there is no basis for this alias. As a possible explanation for the existence of the alias "D. B. COOPER" the following sequence of events is offered:
While the hijacking was in progress on the evening of November 24, 1971, it was established that a [REDACTED] had boarded the flight at Portland, but was not among the passengers who deplaned at Seattle.
As a result, the name [REDACTED] was checked through the Bureau indices, which revealed an identification Record for a DANIEL BARRY COOPER, FBI Number [REDACTED] born in [REDACTED] with an [REDACTED] in [REDACTED]
---
DB Cooper-34102
---
b6 b7C
SE 164-81
INVESTIGATIVE STEPS TO PROCESS NORJAK SUSPECTS
In checking on suspect [REDACTED] that b6 evening, the Portland Division advised that he definitely b7C had been eliminated. A police officer of The Dalles, Oregon Police Department, visited him in The Dalles, and definitely identified him as the above [REDACTED], and the fact was noted that he could not have been on the plane since he was at The Dalles.
---
There was no FBI release to the press concerning the above suspect, but the press coverage in Oregon, and in the State of Washington was so intense, it may have become known to the press, that the above [REDACTED] was b6 contacted by a police officer. b7C
---
It is suggested that the fact that the name "D.B. COOPER" is not involved in this matter not be given publicity outside the Bureau in order to utilize this fact as an aid in the initial evaluation of new leads.
---
INVESTIGATIVE STEPS TO-PROCESS NORJAK SUSPECTS
This list in no way represents all the means avail- able to process a suspect. Each individual case prompts a different method; one or more of the below listed methods have been used in the past.
1. Obtain current descriptive data (particularly useful is age, height and complexion)
2. Ascertain location on November 24, 1971, by
(a) checking employment records.
(b) checking cancelled checks or credit card transactions.
(c) interviewing acquaintances or relatives (note November 24th was the day before Thanksgiving, 1971).
3. Ascertain present location to determine if he is alive or if he appears to be in hiding.
---
- C - COVER PAGE DB Cooper-34103
SE 164-81
---
4. Ascertain if he has knowledge of airplanes or parachuting (i.e. private pilot's license, skydiving experience, or military jump experience).
5. Obtain current photograph, color if possible, to display to witnesses. (Note: All NORJAK eyewitnesses have been repeatedly contacted and have reviewed numerous photographs. Up to now they have been extremely cooperative, not withstanding the many contacts they have endured both at work and at home. Based on the above, these witnesses will not be contacted to view photographs unless there is no other way to eliminate a suspect).
6. Compare suspect's fingerprints and palm prints with NORJAK partials on file in the Identification Bureau.
7. Ascertain if he is in any way familiar with the Pacific Northwest area and in particular if he ever flew over this area.
8. Check current financial situation and contrast it to his situation prior to NORJAK.
9. Determine if he smokes cigarettes or if he ever smoked cigarettes. (Note: Unsub smoked Raleigh cigarettes).
10. Determine if he was registered at a motel or hotel near the Portland Airport just prior to NORJAK.
11. Determine if he made any trial runs prior to NORJAK on airlines flying between Portland and Seattle.
12. Determine if has a safe deposit box and con- sider feasibility of obtaining a court order to determine its contents.
13. Compare his hair to hair fiber found on NORJAK airplane.
---
- D - COVER PAGE
DB Cooper-34104
SE 164-81
---
14. Check medical records (subject was apparently in good health and athletic at the time of NORJAK but he could have been injured in the jump).
15. Determine if he had reason to have a grudge on November 24, 1971. (Possibilities might be loss of job, especially airline-related job, Vietnam War, ethnic freedom, etc.)
16. Determine his criminal background. (It is felt Unsub was not an experienced criminal.)
17. Determine suspect's educational background. (Unsub was probably a high school graduate and may have had further education.)
18. Determine if he is or was an alcoholic. (It is felt Unsub was not an alcoholic.)
19. Determine if he has an accent of any kind. (Unsub did not.)
20. Determine if the tie or tie tac found on NORJAK belongs to suspect.
21. Check suspect's name through
(a) St. Louis Office for military records to determine jump experience. (Note: need service number or SSAN.)
(b) Airline Pilot Association (ALPA), head- quarters Washington, D.C.
(c) Parachute Club of America, U.S. Parachute Association, PO Box 109, Monterey, Cali- fornia 93940.
(d) Raleigh Coupon Redemption Center, Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company, Hill Street, Louisville, Kentucky. (Records kept only one year.)
---
-E- COVER PAGE
---
DB Cooper-34105
SE 164-81
---
PROFILE
The purpose of the following information is to conveniently list all the known facts concerning the hi- jacker's profile and to combine them with suppositions that can be reasonably inferred from those facts. The suppositions have been included to aid in processing a suspect. They should not be considered as concrete facts, nor should they be used as the sole determining factor in drawing investi- gative conclusions.
---
SUMMARY
Unsub was a well spoken, conservative gentleman; probably a Catholic with Mexican or Indian blood. He was not an alcoholic. He probably lived in the Portland or Seattle area; or had flown more than once over these areas. He apparently had no accomplices. He was not an experienced skydiver and most probably received his jump training in the military. His hijacking plan was not well thought out, and he was probably not an experienced criminal. He was apparently having financial troubles prior to November, 1971, and he may have previously worked in an airline- related indus try.
---
The reasons for the above suppositions are in- cluded below.
BACKGROUND
It is felt Unsub was not an experienced criminal because of his mannerism exhibited after he received the ransom money. Unsub reportedly became somewhat childish in his actions and comments while counting the money.
Unsub was familiar with the Seattle area, as indicated by his comments concerning the plane's location as it flew over Tacoma, Washington. In addition, Unsub made a comment as to the distance McChord Air Force Base was in relation to Sea-Tac Airport. Unsub reportedly indicated McChord was approximately 20 minutes from Sea-Tac, which is essentially correct.
---
- F - COVER PAGE DB Cooper-34106
SE 164-81
---
Unsub stated he was hijacking the aircraft because of a grudge. He may have had a relative, possibly a son, killed in Vietnam or he may have had recent finan- cial problems which would foster such a grudge.
---
Unsub's complexion has been described as swarthy or dark. The grudge may be associated with his background which could possibly be Indian, Mexican or possibly Italian descent. Note unsub has been described by witness [REDACTED] as definitely having some Mexican or Indian "blood" in him.
---
It is noted the northwest area at the time of the hijacking was suffering from a depressed economic condition, and since Unsub was familiar with the Seattle area as in- dicated above, it is possible Unsub was out of work at the time of NORJAK. In addition, Unsub demonstrated considerable knowledge of aircraft and of flying, and it is felt he was employed in the aircraft industry, either civilian or military at one time in his life, therefore, it is logical to assume unsub may possibly have been out of work in an airlines-related industry.
---
His actions and reactions that occurred throughout the hijacking indicate unsub probably was not a desperate man, nor was he mentally ill such as a paranoid type. Unsub exhibited an unusually calm manner throughout the whole hijacking.
---
Unsub was probably a "loner" and carried out the hijacking by himself, with no partners. Throughout the hijacking, he exhibited a competency in reacting to various situations that arose. It is believed that Unsub was not an experienced criminal, but a victim of circumstances.
---
Unsub's physical build and his handiness with the parachute shroud lines indicates coordination and some physical ability as will as inventiveness. (It is noted that during the hijacking unsub requested a knapsack to put the money in and he received a small white bag instead. Unsub took a small pocket knife from his person and fashioned a means to attach the small bag to his body using parachute lines from an unused parachute. Since it is
---
- G - CONT'D PAGE DB Cooper-34107
---
b6 b7C
SE 164-81
---
believed unsub was not well prepared for the hijacking, and had not thorou[guess: ghly] thought the hijacking out, he most pro- bably always carries a small pocket knife with him.
---
The following information tends to indicate unsub was somewhat conservative in his thinking and dress:
1. Short style hair
2. Age mid 40's
3. Dark colored suit, dark colored raincoat, white shirt, narrow black tie.
4. Unsub did not swear and showed a great deal of respect for the stewardesses on the airline because they were women. (Unsub engaged in a small argument with one of the passengers, as well as experiencing extremely tense and nervous situations, and through it all he never used profane language - this might indicate he is possibly a religious man. Since he did drink, and since he is possibly religious, he probably is not a Baptist or Mormon.)
---
The following information tends to indicate Unsub possibly possessed athletic ability:
1. His physical build was described as average to well built, even though his age was described as in his mid-40's.
2. Unsub exhibited some physical dexterity using his hands and a small knife.
3. Unsub apparently parachuted from an aircraft at night; something that would require no small degree of physical ability.
---
It is felt unsub possibly maintains his physical well being through regular exercise.
---
- H - COVER PAGE
---
DB Cooper-34108
SE 164-81
---
The following information tends to indicate the Unsub was a gentleman:
1. He offered to tip the stewardesses on the NORJAK flight after he received his ransom money. He did not offer them ransom money as the tip, but used his own money.
2. During the entire hijacking he did not use profane language.
3. Throughout the hijacking he maintained a calm demeanor and spoke low and intelligently.
---
The following information tends to indicate Unsub lived in the northwest area at some time in his life:
1. Unsub knew the distance from McChord to Sea-Tac and recognized Tacoma, Washington from the air.
2. Unsub was dressed in a suit and lightweight overcoat which is commonly worn by many north- west area residents.
3. No accent or unusual speech mannerisms were detected by the Northwest Airlines stewardesses who had a chance to observe him.
---
SPORT PARACHUTIST
The hijacker is probably not a sports parachutist nor is he a member of a sport parachute club. The reasons for this are as follows:
1. The hijacker requested two back parachutes and two front parachutes. He gave no specific instructions as to the type of parachute that he desired. (i.e. a sports parachutist would probably have requested a steerable sport
---
- I - COVER PAGE
DB Cooper-34109
SE 164-81
---
2. Several sport parachutists have advised that a sport parachutist possesses an emotional attachment to his parachute and probably would not jump from an aircraft with anyone else's chute, nor would they jump with a chute they had not packed themselves.
The hijacker was furnished a parachute that opens quickly, has a high rate of descent, and one that was not steerable.
---
3. The hijacker was furnished two front parachutes, commonly called chest packs which are to be used in an emergency when the back pack parachute or main parachute fails to open properly. The chest pack parachute the hijacker took with him was a dummy parachute. It was designed for lectures to demon- strate to new parachutists the proper method of opening a chest pack parachute. It is felt an experienced sports para- chutist would probably have noticed this defect.
---
4. Unsub's age has been described as mid 40's and it is noted that the average age in most sport parachute clubs is mid 20's. If Unsub was a member of a sport parachute club he would certainly be an unusual member, one that would be easily recognized by the other members, as well as one that was well known because of his unusual age. It is felt that due to the large amount of publicity afforded this case, someone in a sport parachute club would have recognized his fellow "sky diver" as being identical with Unsub if in fact Unsub was a member of any sports parachute club.
---
When the stewardesses presented the parachutes to the hijacker she also presented an instruction sheet on how to utilize a parachute. At that time, Unsub stated he did not need any instructions concerning the use of a parachute.
---
Since Unsub did not specify a specific type of chute and because of the above reasoning concerning Unsub's age, it is felt Unsub was not an experienced jumper or even a sport jumper. In addition, Unsub probably had some jump training most probably obtained while in the military.
---
- J - CONTINUED
DB Cooper-34110
SE 164-81
---
HABITS
Unsub drinks in moderation and is probably not an alcoholic. Unsub ordered one bourbon and seven at the be- ginning of the flight and although he was offered several free drinks later, he turned them down. This would indicate that Unsub possessed sufficient willpower to refuse alcohol in a tension-filled situation. It is believed an alcoholic or a former alcoholic who had just had one drink and was placed in a situation of similar stress would succumb to the pressure and imbibe in the free drinks offered him by the stewardesses.
---
Located in the ashtray utilized by Unsub were eight cigarette butts, seven of which have been identified by the FBI Laboratory as Raleigh filter cigarettes, and the eighth cigarette is possibly the same. These cigar- ettes are sold in a "soft pack". Unsub was in the aircraft eight hours in an extremely tense situation. During the eight hours, he had eight cigarettes. A two-pack-a-day smoker would have consumed 20 cigarettes in eight hours under normal circumstances. It is felt Unsub may possibly smoke less than one pack a day.
---
CLOTHES
Located in Seat 18 E (the seat Unsub occupied) was a black clip-on tie which contained a tie clip des- cribed as yellow gold in color, with a white pearl circular stone in the center. The label in the tie bore the name "Towncraft" and bore the legend "Store 3, Penneys". The label in this tie showed it to be a "Snapper" patent type tie. Investigation at Las Vegas indicated this type tie was sold for about $1.50 and that this particular tie was about a year to a [guess: ayear] and a half old. It was a favorite item for individuals such as waiters, busboys and barten- ders.
Stewardess MUCKLOW has said that this tie, found on the aircraft, was probably Unsubs and other witnesses have indicated he wore a similar type tie.
---
- K - COVER PAGE DB Cooper-34111
SE 164-81
---
Since Unsub wore a tie during the hijacking and for other reasons described above, it is felt he was possibly an executive. However, since the tie was narrow and a clip-on type not currently in style, Unsub was possibly not on a top-level executive.
---
Unsub carried with him a cheap briefcase that appeared to be new. It is thought the hijacker probably purchased this briefcase just prior to the hijacking to be used during the hijacking only.
---
Unsub wore a white shirt with small collar points indicating he probably did not have the money to obtain a more fashionable wardrobe (i.e. more colorful shirts with larger collars currently in style). The white shirt could also indicate the hijacker's conservative taste in clothing.
---
EDUCATION
Unsub was assessed to be a high school graduate possibly with some college training, based primarily on vocabulary used during the hijack. Further, Unsub [guess: impair] used stewardesses as possibly being experienced in dealing with people. They, therefore, concluded he was the executive type and seemed to naturally dictate the ransomed demands to the stewardesses in lieu of writing the notes out himself.
---
PHYSICAL
Race: White Sex: Male Age: Mid 40's Height: 5'10" - 6' Weight: 170-180 Complexion: Olive, Latin appearance medium smooth Hair: Dark brown or black, parted on the left and combed back Sideburns: Ear level Eyes: Possibly brown. During latter part of flight, he put on dark, wrap-around sunglasses with dark frames.
---
- L - DB Cooper-34112
SE 164-81
---
Voice: Low, spoke intelligently, no particular accent, possible from midwest section of the United States. Characteristics: Smoked Raleigh filter tipped cigarettes Wearing apparel: Black or brown suit, narrow black tie, white shirt, black rain-type overcoat or dark topcoat, dark briefcase or attache case, brown shoes, carried paper bag, 4"x12"x[guess: 14]".
---
- M* - COVER PAGE
---
DB Cooper-34113
FD-302 (Rev. 3-3-59)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Copy to:
Report of: Date:
Field Office File #: 164-81
Office: Seattle, Washington
Bureau File #: 164-2311
b6 b7C
Title: UNKNOWN SUBJECT; NORTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT #350, PORTLAND, OREGON, TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON NOVEMBER 24, 1971
Character: CRIME ABOARD AIRCRAFT - HIJACKING; EXTORTION
Synopsis: On November 24, 1971, a white male skyjacked a Northwest Airlines Flight from Portland to Seattle. The hijacker demanded and received $200,000 and four para-chutes upon landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. After receiving the ransom money, the hijacker allowed the passengers to leave. The plane then took off for Reno and at 8:11 p.m. a pressure oscillation was noted by the plane's crew. That pressure oscillation was probably caused by the hijacker leaving the aircraft. Search of the aircraft at Reno revealed the hijacker was not in the plane when it landed. Extensive searches of the area into which the hijacker would have landed failed to locate the hijacker or any evidence of value. The initial black and white artist composite drawing of the hijacker was changed to a color sketch to more accurately reflect the hijacker's age and swarthy complexion.
- P -
DB Cooper-34114
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.
SE 164-81
---
TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages
THE HIJACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 8
LOGS AND RECORDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
SEARCH AREA (WITH MAPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-25
FIRST TERRAIN SEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
HUNTERS SEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26-28
SECOND TERRAIN SEARCH (WITH MAPS) . . . . . . . . . . . .28-31
CURRENT INVESTIGATION
Artist Sketch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
FAA Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Boeing File Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Raleigh Cigarettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
First Skyjacking Utilizing Parachutes . . . . . .40
SR 71 Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45-47
---
2. DB Cooper-34115
SE 164-81.
---
THE HIJACK
---
3. DB Cooper-34116
SE 164-81
---
The Unsub, aka [REDACTED], at 2:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time, November 24, 1971, purchased a one-way coach ticket at the Portland International Airport, Portland, Oregon, for travel from Portland to Seattle, Washington, on Northwest Orient Airlines Flight Number 305, which was a Boeing 727 aircraft. Unsub paid for this flight with a twenty dollar bill and had no luggage. He occupied seat number 18 E on the aircraft.
The Boeing 727 has three seats on each side of the aisle. Row 18 is the last one on both the right and left side of the aisle. The seats are identified from left to right as you face the front of the aircraft with A,B,C on the left side of the aisle and D (aisle seat), E (center seat) and F (window seat) on the right side.
Almost flush against the back of row 18, except for some eight inches near the aisle, is a bulkhead which forms the wall for the lavatories, located behind row 18; one on the right and one on the left. Beyond the lavatory doors is the door leading to the air stairs.
The door to the air stairs is always closed and locked, except when loading or unloading passengers. It is located straight away at the end of the aisle beyond row 18 and is perhaps some 3½ feet from the last row and is in easy reach for someone sitting in row 18.
Built into the lower portion of the door to the air stairs is the stewardess seat which is pulled down when in use, so that a person sitting in that seat looks straight down the aisle toward the front of the aircraft. On take-off this seat was occupied by Stewardess [REDACTED]
Prior to the time the aircraft taxied on the run- way, he purchased a bourbon and Seven Up from Stewardess [REDACTED]. As the aircraft taxied toward the runway for takeoff, Unsub turned and handed Stewardess [REDACTED] an envelope containing a note written in black felt-tip pen on plain white unlined paper which said:
"Miss, I have a bomb here and I would like you to sit by me".
---
b6 b7c
---
4. DB Cooper-34117
SE 164-81
---
The hijacker then dictated the following:
"I want $200,000 by 5:00 p.m. in cash". (No specification as to denomination, age or sequence of bills). "Put it in a knapsack. I want two back parachutes and two front parachutes" (no other specification concerning para- chute types). "When we land I want a fuel truck ready to refuel" (probably his flying experience caused him to add this). "No funny stuff or I'll do the job" (the first attempted parachute skyjacking had been foiled about 12 days earlier by the hijacked aircraft's crew.)
The hijacker showed both Stewardesses the contents of his briefcase and stated it was an electrical device and requested the aircraft radio be used as little as possible.
The hijacker explained why he hijacked this plane by stating "it's not because I have a grudge against the airlines, it's because I have a grudge."
The hijacker then added that the flight suited his time, place and plans (probably the convenience of a Portland to Seattle flight suited the hijacker).
The hijacker very carefully demanded that each and every note either written by him or dictated to the stewardess by him be returned to him and he also had a used match cover which was used to convey notes returned to him.
Stewardess [REDACTED] showed Stewardess [REDACTED] the demand notes and then went to the cockpit where she displayed them to the captain of the aircraft. She thereafter remained in the cockpit where she prepared thirteen pages of notes concerning the hijacking.
The aircraft landed at Sea-Tac at 5:46 PM, PST, at which time $200,000, in twenty dollar bills, weighing 19 pounds, two back chutes and two chest chutes were given to him in a white canvas bag. The passengers then were allowed to deplane as were Stewardess [REDACTED] and another stewardess.
The hijacker went to the lavatory just behind row 18 (the row he which he was sitting) and as he exited the lavatory he was seen carrying the briefcase on its side in both arms, with a 12"x16"x4" light-colored package on top of the briefcase.
---
5. DB Cooper-34118
SE 164-81
---
Stewardess [REDACTED] then acted as a communications media between the Unsub and the captain of the air[craft] craft until about five minutes after the aircraft departed the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when she was instructed to go to the cockpit by the Unsub.
---
The hijacker's instructions after receiving the money were vague. He probably wanted to jump from the aircraft as soon as possible after the takeoff. The hi- jacker put two of the parachutes, a back pack and a front pack, on prior to take off. He also wanted the air stairs lowered prior to takeoff, which subsequently proved to be impossible. Finally the hijacker jumped as soon as practi- cal after the stairs were lowered in flight. The hijacker was delayed from jumping by the trouble he experienced in lowering the air stairs and by the fact he was not provided a knapsack but rather a small white canvas bag which he had to affix to her person utilizing parachute shroud lines from an unused parachute.
---
The plane departed Sea-Tac at 7:36 PM. Some four or five minutes after take-off, [REDACTED] was sent to the cockpit by the hijacker. Some ten minutes after she entered the cockpit, one of the officers received a call on the interphone from the hijacker, advising he could not get the air stairs down. The pilot then leveled off the aircraft and reduced the air speed. Within a very short time, the officer's panel showed that the stairs had been lowered and approximately five minutes later, (8:05 PM), the officer contacted the hijacker who said everything was okay. That was the last communication with the hijacker.
---
At 8:11 PM, while the plane was at 10,000 feet, the crew experienced a pressure bump or oscillation and the Cabin Pressure Rate of Change Gauge also reacted violently and it was thought, at that time, that the hijacker might have left the aircraft.
---
When the aircraft landed at Reno, Nevada, a chest pack chute and a back type chute were found on the plane. The missing chest pack chute, sometimes referred to as an emergency chute, is a training pack "dummed up" to look like a good one. The missing back pack chute is non-steerable and anyone utilizing this type chute would have no chance of slowing down or picking his spot on which to land.
---
DB Cooper-34119
---
b6 b7C b6 b7C
SE 164-81
---
Also located in seat 18 E of the aircraft at [guess: Reno], was a black clip-on tie which contained a tie clasp [guess: and] [guess: slid] as yellow gold in color with a white pearl circular [guess: center] in the center. The label in the tie bore the name "Towncraft" and bore Store #3, Penneys. The label in this tie showed it to be a "Snapper" patent type tie. Investigation in Las Vegas indicated that this type sold for about $1.50, that it was about a year to a year and a half ol., and it was a favorite item for individuals such as waiters, busboys and bartenders. St [guess: wardess] [ ] has said that this tie was probably the Unsub's and other witnesses have indicated that he wore a similar type tie.
---
Located in the ashtray utilized by the Unsub were eight cigarette butts, seven of which have been identified by the FBI Laboratory as Raleigh filter tip cigarettes and the eighth cigarette is probably the same. These cigarettes are sold in a "soft pack".
---
The two seats which she had observed to be oc- cupied by the unknown subject were processed for fingerprints. In addition the telephone, the area around the rear door, the rear door and four plastic drinking glasses found in the trash receptacle by the back door were also processed for fingerprints. In addition, a cloth towel affixed to the rear of one of the seats reportedly occupied by the unknown subject was removed and examined by Reno Agents. On that towel was noted what appeared to be a short human hair.
---
The FBI Laboratory by communication dated Decem- ber 9, 1971, advised that an examination of the towel sub- mitted by the Las Vegas Office, disclosed a brown head hair clipping and a brown limb hair, both of Caucasian origin. The report continued that the head hair clipping is suitable for significant comparison results, but that the limb hair possesses to few unique microscopic characteristics to be of value for that purpose.
---
The Laboratory also advised that the hairs obtain- ed from the towel have been mounted on a glass microscopic slide. They suggested that if microscopic comparisons between
---
7.
---
DB Cooper-34120
---
b6 b7C
BE 164-81
between the head hair clipping and a known head hair sample were desired, that the glass microscopic slide containing the hair clipping should be resubmitted to the Laboratory by the Las Vegas Office.
The contents of the ashtray, the towel and the microscopic slide were returned by the Laboratory to the Las Vegas Office and are being held by the Las Vegas Divi- sion as evidence.
---
8. DB Cooper-34121
SE 164-81
---
LOGS BY NORTHWEST ORIENT AIRLINES, SEATTLE AND MINNEAPOLIS
---
9.
---
DB Cooper-34122
SE 164-81
---
It is apparent from the following excerpts, taken from logs maintained by ground personnel on November 24, 1971, that the hijacker exited the airplane at 8:11 p.m. local time.
When the hijacker jumped, the air stairs were forced closed causing an increase in air pressure similar to shutting a car door with the windows up. As this pressure increase occurred the co-pilot turned to look at the cabin rate of climb meter and in doing so his communications ear plug was pulled from his ear.
The co-pilot's comments at this time were being recorded on a tape recorder which had previously been started on a time standard signal. Through careful play back and sequencing, the time of the pressure oscillation caused by the air stairs closing after Unsub departed was determined to be 8:11 p.m. local time.
---
10. DB Cooper-34123
1 SE 164-81
Teletype logs maintained by Ground Operations, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
---
Time 8:12 p.m. PST "11/25 305 getting some oscil[guess: ations] in the cabin mus be doing something with air stairs"
Handwritten logs maintained by [REDACTED] at the Office of NWA Operations, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
---
8:11 p.m. "Reno looks good (weather). 305 at the present cabin is fluctuating playing with air stairs fwd cabin lites on."
Handwritten logs maintained by [REDACTED] Flight Dispatcher NWA at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
---
8:11 p.m. "Cabin fluctuating ZA"
Log maintained at Flight Operations Office, Minneapolis, by [REDACTED] [REDACTED]
---
8:10 p.m. "Crew reported oscillation of cabin rate of climb indicator. This probably due to HJ weight now on stairs, stairs extended further, resultant effect on cabin pressure. May be best estimate of when he exited air- plane."
---
DB Cooper-34124
2 SE 164-81
---
"(Airplane now at 10,000' 170K, gear down, flaps 15°, FF 4000 #/hr/engine, TAT -7°C)".
---
Log reconstructed from tape recordings of the conversations between Flight 305 and Ground Control.
8:11 p.m.
"O.K. fine uh, at the present time [ ] uh, uh! (co-pilot, who [guess: was] speaking, turned to look at the cabin rate of climb meter because of an increase in cabin pressure and in doing so his ear plug was pulled from his ear). . . at the present time we're getting some uh, the uh, cabin uh rate uh. . . uh, scuse me, my ear plug came out and I uh, at the present time we're getting some oscillations in the cabin rate of climb indicator and uh, apparently he (unsub) must be uh attempting to do something with the uh, the airstairs back there."
---
(There is a time correlation check on this tape and through careful play back and sequencing the time of oscillations caused by the airstairs closing after unsub departed was calculated at 8:11 p.m.).
---
12. DB Cooper-34125
---
b6 b7C
SE 164-81
---
Ransom money in the amount of $200,000 was made up entirely of used, random 20 dollar bills. It was obtain- ed from the Seattle First National Bank, Main Office, and was part of a ransom package of $250,000, which had been maintained by the bank for such emergencies. The package measured approximately one foot by one foot by eight or nine inches and weighed 19 pounds.
---
A check of the Federal Aviation Administration flight section at Portland International Airport reflected that on November 24, 1971 between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, there was a ceiling of 5,000 feet, 3,500 feet broken clouds, and at 1,500 feet scattered and broken clouds at times with a wind of 12-14 knots. The temperature at the end of the air stairs at the time of the jump was approximately 0° C.
---
On October 5, 1972, Mr. DONALD W. NYROP, President, Northwest Orient Airlines, Minneapolis-Saint Paul Interna- tional Airport, advised he authorized a finders fee of $25,000 total reward or 15% for any portion of the ransom money that is returned.
---
In addition, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, a local newspaper in Seattle, has offered $5,000 for informa- tion leading to the arrest and conviction of Unsub.
---
13.
DB Cooper-34126
89 307-03
---
[illegible]
[guess: SEARCH AREA]
---
14.
DB Cooper-34127
SE 164-81
---
Northwest Airlines (NWA) Flight 305, departing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), under [illegible]- jack 11/24/71, at 7:36 PM. At the orders of the hijacker, the landing gear and flaps were down. After the plane was airborne, the hijacker and Stewardess [REDACTED] [REDACTED] b6 the opening of the rear door and the lowering of the stairs. b7c stairs. In less than five minutes after take-off the hijacker instructed Stewardess [REDACTED] to go forward into the First Class Section and close the curtain [guess: behind] her and not to return to the rear compartment again.
At 7:42 PM, the crew advised that the stair light was on, indicating that the hijacker was doing something with the air stairs. The plane, at that time, was flying at 7,000 feet.
The log contained an entry at 8:05 PM, indicating the crew had on two occasions, attempted to make contact with the hijacker but he did not reply. However, he then spoke over the PA system and said "everything is okay."
An analysis on 11/24 and 25/71, of the flight- path of the aircraft, after it left Seattle, and the logs provided by NWA, suggested that the hijacker was still in the airplane as of 8:05 PM. At that time the plane, according to radar tracking by the U.S. Air Force, was located at a point north of the Pidgeon Springs, Washington area and east of Ostrander, Washington. This would have been the northernmost point when he was known to be on the aircraft.
At 8:11 PM, according to a log maintained by NWA, the crew reported that they were "getting some oscillations in the cabin, must be doing something with air stairs." An analysis as to the cause of this oscillation, also referred to as a "pressure bump" or "change in the cabin pressure" pointed to the probability that it was caused by the hijacker leaving the aircraft.
---
DB Cooper-34128
---
15.
SE 164-81
---
On 1/6/72, the NWA 727 which was actually involved in the hijacking, was flown to Seattle, by [REDACTED] for the purpose of conducting a test to see if the "pressure bump" experienced during the hijacking, was caused by someone thing leaving the aircraft.
---
The conclusion from that test was that the cabin pressure change occurred when the stairs were forced upward by the air pressure after the weight had been removed. according to [REDACTED] who was a member of the hijacked crew, and also a member of the crew when the test was performed, the occurrence was identical with the incident on the night of the hijack. Also the instrument in the cabin which reacted so violently on the night of the hijacking, also reacted the same way when the test was performed.
---
[REDACTED], based on the test flight above, then prepared a memo showing the steps by which he arrived at the best probable bail out point of the hijacker, and plotted this area on a map. This information is set forth as follows:
---
b6 b7C
---
16. DB Cooper-34129
The [illegible] plot , find [illegible] on [illegible] of possible landing points of [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]. It is based on the following inputs:
---
-- Aircraft position from USAF radar data from McChord AFB furnished by [REDACTED]
-- Probable jump time (GMT) from an analysis of the recorded comments from from the flight [illegible] the [illegible] is the cabin pressure fluctuation. Flight tests conducted on January 6 confirmed that the pressure fluctuation almost certainly occurred at the time the HJ left the airplane.
-- Wind information from 10,000' MSL to the ground as determined by [REDACTED] NWA [REDACTED]
-- Human body trajectories from data furnished by The Boeing Company (free fall) and NWA [REDACTED] (parachute open condition) who is an expert para- chutist.
-- Time correlation from the above USAF radar information and from the NWA communications network tape recording.
-- Airplane airspeed and altitude from the airplane's flight recorder.
---
The plot is explained as follows:
1. The heavy dashed line C--D--E--S defines the airplane's probable ground track.
2. Line G--I--J--K defines the westernmost, and Line L--M--N--O the easternmost probable airplane ground tracks based on the stated position tolerance of ±.5 nautical mile of the USAF radar plot.
3. Lines A--B, H--P, and O--R are the average wind vectors between 10,000' MSL and the ground, and are the lines parallel to which the HJ would drift after the parachute had opened.
4. Line H--S--T defines the northernmost (earliest) points over which the HJ probably left the airplane. Line K--F--O defines the southernmost (latest) points over which the HJ probably left the airplane. The north-south span of possible jump positions is a product of the radar position tolerance of ±.5 mile, and the possible communication time determination tolerance of ±1 minute.
5. The area within the boundary defined by Points H--P--Q--R--O--K--J--I--H marks the extreme limits of probable landing points based on the above tolerances. That is, assuming the highest probable degree of inaccuracy in aircraft position, jump time, wind vector, etc., all probable HJ landing points would lie within the area defined by this line.
6. If it is assumed aircraft position, jump time, wind vector, and other inputs used are all accurate (without allowance for the above stated tolerances):
a. The HJ's landing point would be at Point A if his 'chute did not open, or if he opened it so soon that the high speed caused 'chute damage, that resulted in the equivalent of a free-fall to the ground. (The horizontal body trajectory due to
---
DB Cooper-34130
---
b6 b7C b6 b7C b6 b7C
it [guess: being] at [guess: this] time [guess: speed] as the airplane at the moment of exit, in a [guess: free] [guess: fall] shape it would be a maximum of 5000' along the airplane's track if the [guess: lid] is [guess: on] fall all the way to the ground in the "least drag" (tucked) position.)
b. If the 'chute were opened without change immediately after the lid left the airplane, he would drift with the wind along Line A-B and would land at Point U. [guess: In] a [guess: race] expert he was, the longer he would probably free-fall (to limit his drift with the wind). The lowest probable altitude to which he would free-fall is 2500' MSL. If he free- fell to 2500' MSL, his landing would be at Point U.
---
Based on the above, the most favorable search areas, listed in their order of priority, would be as follows:
-- At Point A.
-- Along Line A-B, favoring the segment between U and B.
-- South of Line A-B.
-- North of Line A-B.
In addition to the above, the following are pertinent:
-- The landing point is more likely to be south of Line A-B, and it is more likely to be in the northwest portion of area A--B--R--O--K--J--A than in the southeast portion thereof.
-- It is substantially less likely that the landing point is north of Line A-B. If it is, the most probable point is south of the Lewis River, and in the southwest portion of the area defined by Points A--B--I--J--A.
-- It seems highly unlikely--though possible--that the landing point is north of the Lewis River, but if it is, it is more likely to be in the southwest portion of the area defined by Points G--M--V--I--H--P--Q.
---
If there are any questions relative to the above, they should be referred to the under- signed.
---
Northwest Airlines
January 9, 1972
---
b6 b7C
---
18. DB Cooper-34131
[Topographic/USGS-style map showing contour lines, section numbers, and geographic features]
Visible place names: - Clover Valley (upper-left quadrant) - [guess: Etna] (center) - Pine Grove (left side, mid-lower area) - [guess: Highland] (center, mid-lower area) - [guess: View] (right side, mid area)
Visible section numbers: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 28, 29, 32, 2, 3
Two large black redaction marks appear near the top of the map.
Bottom-right corner stamp: DB Cooper-34132
SE 164-81
---
On 11/26-25/71, based on information available from NWA, a search area was laid out in the southwest portion of the State of Washington, which was bounded by Woodland, Washington, on the west, Amboy, Washington, on the east, Kalama, Washington on the north and a point seven miles north of the Columbia River, on the south. The prime search area was in an area seven miles east and seven miles west of an eight mile long flight line of the hijacked aircraft, bounded by an area two miles north of Lake Merwin and the Lewis River on the north, Amboy on the east, Woodland, on the west and Battle Ground, Washington, on the south. The search area was divided into six sectors. Four heli- copters and seven fixed-wing aircraft were utilized in an intensive, gridded air search of the prime area and a well executed search of the secondary search area on 11/26, 11/27 and 11/29/71.
---
Ground units of local law enforcement personnel and Bureau Agents, made a house-to-house canvas of every dwelling and business establishment on every road in the prime search area from 11/25/71 through 12/3/71. Most of the roads in the full search area were also intensively covered in a door-to-door canvas, with negative results. All leads developed in this search which was coordinated with the air search, were checked with negative results. One item con- cerning a small aircraft flying in the vicinity of two private airfields west of Tacolt, Washington, was completely checked and it was found that the aircraft in question was a private plane flown by a known private pilot in the area and the flight took place the evening of 11/23/71.
---
All sightings from the air were checked by ground units with negative results. Lake Merwin was patrolled from the lake by two boats for its entire 42 mile length, of navigable water and also to the full extent of its 80 mile length, with negative results.
---
DB Cooper-34133
SE 164-81 EDITED
---
Based upon information received from the Seattle D.vision on November 25, 1971 preliminary steps were taken to alert all law enforcement agencies in Cowlitz, Lewis, Wahkiakum, and Clark Counties concerning the search which was to be instituted for the subject. A meeting was held with members of the Clark and Cowlitz County Sheriff's Offices and local agencies at the Woodland, Washington City Hall and Police Department which was designated as search headquarters in view of its proximity to the Wood- land airport at which facilities were available for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Arrangements were made for helicopters and fixed wing aircraft to be available on November 26, 1971 and the search area was divided into seven sections, one of which was located in the Lewis River area of Cowlitz County and the others in the north- eastern section of Clark County.
On November 26, 1971 personnel of the Clark County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff EUGENE COTTON, and c.n- sisting of twelve cars and four aerial observers, sat en cars of the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, and eleven deputies under Sheriff CHARLES E. GILL and . In addition, three officers of the Woodland, Washington Police Department and six Agents were at the scene.
. On November 26, 1971, after law enforcement officers were briefed on facts known to that point and whar was being sought and having been familiarized with the pris a search area of 150 square miles, the various ground units were dispatched to Cowlitz and Clark Counties with instruc- tions to contact all available residents and businessmen on every road in the assigned section to secure information concerning the subject. The description, then avail ble, was furnished to all personnel involved in the search. Further instructions were given to the officers to r quest individuals contacted to contact their neighbors and acquaintances to insure that all residents of the prime search area were cognizant of the hijacking and the descrip- tion of the subject.
---
DB Cooper-34134
SE 164-81 WJH:RAH
---
On November 26, 1971 the banks of Lake Merwin, partly located in the prime search area, were completely patrolled by two boats of the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office with all suspicious sightings personally checked. One sighting of a white object on the south side of the lake was unable to be checked on November 26, [guess: 1971] but on November 27, 1971 was checked by helicopter with negative results.
---
On November 29, 1971 two Army helicopters, one Bonneville Power Administration helicopter, and one Weyerhaeuser Company helicopter plus five fixed wing aircraft from Woodland and Vancouver, Washington were aloft over the search area for seven hours of total flying time. Several sightings of unidentified items were checked by ground contact with negative results.
---
On November 27, 1971 the search was continued with the same number of personnel, ground units, three helicopters and seven fixed wing planes. The search area on this day encompassed a 100 [guess: square] mile area and was laid out based upon latest data furnished by Northwest Airlines re a [guess: position] position at time subject left the plane. An area averaging ten miles on the east and west sides of the airline flight path and extending from the vicinity of Kalama, Washington to the suburbs of Vancouver, Washington was gridded and cries crossed by the aircraft mentioned with negative results. All sightings of suspicious items were checked with negative results.
---
The ground search on November 27, 1971 consisted of contacts by personnel in ground units with as many individuals as possible in the search area.
---
On November 27, 1971, in addition to contacting all individuals in the search area all airfields with any aircraft or parachuting schools or activity were contacted from Vancouver - Camas, Washougal area to Woodland. A number of individuals contacted at these locations gave information pertaining to skydivers, pilots, clubs in- volved in skydiving and other information, all of which has been checked with negative results.
---
DB Cooper-34135
---
22.
SA 836 489 ROHMORI
---
Airporter and Flight Services
Schools, Orchard, Washington [REDACTED] b6 Vancouver, Washington b7C
Evergreen Airfield, [REDACTED] Vancouver, Washington
Pearson Air Park, [REDACTED] Vancouver, Washington Shreraft, Inc. Pearson Air Park Aircraft Specialties at Pearson Air Park - [REDACTED] b6 Northwest Flight Services, Inc. Pearson Air b7C / Park - [REDACTED] Vancouver Flying Service, Pearson Air Park [REDACTED], Comms, Washington,
[guess: Kalama/Longview] Airport, Kelso, Washington -
Marks and Forest Helicopter Service, Napavine, Washington Hillsborough Aviation, Pearson Air Park, Vancouver, Washington Toledo Airport, Toledo, Washington Chehalis - Centralia Airport, Chehalis, Washington
---
On November 28, 1971 the house to house canvass. of business establishments and houses in the prime search area of 150 square miles was continued by Agents of the . Seattle Division. A 1 individuals contacted were queried concerning the subject and were shown composite drawings and given physical descriptive materials. The search area was gridded and close contact was kept with the control point until all streets, roads, highways, and passable by- ways were covered all with negative results.
---
23. DB Cooper-34136
SE 164-81
---
On November 28, 1971, reports of planes flying at night on November 23, 1971, in the vicinity of the airfields located at View, Washington, and in the vicinity of County Road 42 and Grantham Road in Clark County as well as other small airports in Clark and Cowlitz Counties were checked with all flights being explainable and normal.
On November 29, 1971, the area from Woodland, Washington, up the Lewis River Road to Cougar, Washington, and Yale Lake was covered on a house to house basis, all locations being in Cowlitz County. The business establish- ments and private homes contacted all had information concerning the subject and his physical description.
Further house to house coverage was afforded in an area near the midpoint of a circle specified by Northwest Airlines as the center of the suspected area in which the subject exited the airplane. Every house and business establishment in a 20 mile square area was contacted or recontacted and it was found all individuals contacted had information on the subject but no information of value other than that previously reported.
On November 30, 1971, all doctors, clinics, hospitals, and agencies which could render medical assistance to an individual who could have broken limbs or severe abrasions from being in a heavily wooded area were contacted and were also circularized with a composite photograph and description of the subject in Clark, Lewis, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and Skamania Counties.
A Bonneville Power Administration helicopter and one fixed wing aircraft upon a partial clearing of the weather continued an air search concentrating on the area which has a center point of a circle as furnished by Northwest Airlines. The search took in an area approxi- mately 150 miles square and nothing of a positive nature was found.
Further house to house canvassing was conducted by Agents in the prime search area near the center of the circle as provided by Northwest Airlines. Nothing of significant value other than that already secured was found.
---
24. DB Cooper-34137
SE 164-81
---
On December 1, 1971, a fixed wing aircraft from Woodland, Washington, was aloft and covered an area during a slight period of clear weather which encompassed the area from Woodland, Washington, north to Silver Lake in Cowlitz County, a distance of 40 miles and a section 10 miles on either side of the flight path of the hijacked aircraft. While this was being conducted, Agents in ground units were conducting door to door canvass in the vicinity of the southerly end of Cowlitz County. Total area covered by air was 800 square miles with negative results.
---
On December 2, 1971, ten Agents walked in a defined search pattern the area in the immediate vicinity of the circle of search as set forth by Northwest Airlines. The terrain was found to be composed of fields which are being farmed and a number of impenetrable thickets which have fallen logs, hidden beaver ponds, and creeks and generally hazardous and most difficult terrain to search on foot. It was noted that in getting into the thicket and under- brush growth, it was so heavy that even if an item was five yards from the observer, it could easily be missed due to overgrowth problems. The area covered in this physical terrain search was 1 1/2 miles long and 2/3 of a mile wide and took approximately five hours. Negative results in the search.
---
25. DB Cooper-34138
SE 164-81
---
FIRST TERRAIN SEARCH
The purpose of the first terrain search was to search for possible evidence left behind by Unsub and to find the remains of Unsub assuming he made an unsuccessful jump. The first terrain search commenced at 2:00 PM on March 21, 1972 with 218 Army troops including officers, 20 Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and 9 helicopters. The area to be searched covered approxi- mately 25 square miles.
Due to snowfall in search area on March 25, 1972, the search was temporarily held up. Army troops remained on location and the search resumed at 12:00 Noon on March 26, 1972. The search was temporarily discontinued at 12:00 Noon March 30, 1972 to allow search personnel to rest and enjoy the Easter Holiday. The Army search equip- ment was retained at search headquarters at Merwin Park.
The search recommenced 7:15 AM, April 8, 1972, with 265 Army personnel and 20 Agents. Snow, sleet and freezing rain hampered search on April 12, 1972. Remaining areas to be searched were reached only by helicopter in- sertion of search personnel and landing zones in most cases were under 6 to 12 inches of snow.
The search of the entire area was completed at 1:00 PM, April 17, 1972 with nothing found.
---
HUNTERS SEARCH
Prior to the 1972 hunting season, the following information was made available to Washington State Game Wardens who supervise the area into which the hijacker parachuted:
"On November 24, 1971, a man parachuted into the below-described area with $200,000 in $20 bills. If, while camping or hunting, you should discover any evidence con- cerning this skyjacking please contact the nearest FBI office.
---
26.
DB Cooper-34139
SE 164-81
---
AREA INVOLVED
"Bound on the west by US 5, bound on the south by the Columbia River, bound on the north by the Kalama River, and bound on the east by the Skamania-Clark County line.
---
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
"1) The remains of a man, possibly dead for one year.
2) The remnants of a parachute, harness or parachute shroud lines.
3) 10,000 $20 bills wrapped in a parachute canopy, all serial numbers are known and can be identified.
4) Deteriorated raincoat or overcoat.
5) Small briefcase or attache case.
---
REWARD:
"$25,000.00 total or 15% of any lesser portion of the ransom money that is returned has been offered by Northwest Orient Airlines.
"If any information concerning this matter is discovered, it should be reported to the FBI Office at Seattle, Washington, area code 206, telephone MA. 2-0460 collect, or to the nearest FBI Office, which can be found by checking in front of your telephone directory."
The above information in the form of letters was distributed to hunters by game wardens.
---
The remains of JAMES ANNIS were found by hunters near Cougar, Washington on November 5, 1972. ANNIS, 16 years old in 1971, was reported missing on November 13, 1971 while hunting. He was positively identified by dental examination.
---
Several leads were received as the result of the publicity afforded this case by the news media and the Washington State Department of Game Wardens. These leads
---
27. DB Cooper-34140
SE 164-81
---
all received expeditious and thorough attention but all results were negative.
---
SECOND TERRAIN SEARCH
In attempt to determine the accuracy of the first search area, the following was learned:
The first search area was calculated using a system of plotting known as "GEOREF" (i.e. Geographical Reference) which has a plotting error of plus or minus one mile. A new plotting system using a computer generated latitude and longitude has a plotting error of plus or minus 1/2 mile. Using the new system, [REDACTED] Northwest Orient Airlines [REDACTED] plotted a new course for the NORJAK airplane and a new search area based on the new course. The new search area based on the new course. The new search area is partially outside the first area. (See maps.)
It is felt that if Unsub's parachute opened, he is no longer in the southwest Washington area, but if his parachute did not open he would be in a corridor along the flight path. The time of jump is known, and an area approximately one mile by seven miles represents the area Unsub would have landed in if his parachute did not open.
Because some of the above corridor fell in the old or first terrain search area, only an area 2 miles by 1/2 mile was searched during the second terrain search.
The second terrain search commenced March 12, 1973, and involved 10 Special Agents of the Seattle Office. It was temporarily interrupted on March 16 and resumed again March 26, 1973.
The second terrain search was completed March 29, 1973 with nothing found.
---
b6 b7c
---
DB Cooper-34141
---
28.
[Topographic map showing the following labeled features and annotations:]
Upper portion: - "OLD COURSE" (large hand-drawn text, center-right) - "NEW COURSE" (large hand-drawn text, center-left) - "LAKE" (upper right edge, partially cut off) - [guess: COWLITZ] (right side, partially legible river or geographic label) - [guess: Last Ketch] or [guess: Lost Kelso] (upper left area, partially illegible) - "Ariel" (center-right area) - "Green Mtn" (right side) - "Hall" (right of center)
Middle portion: - "Clover Valley" with "Sch" (left side) - "LEWIS" (left edge) - "Hayes" (left side) - "Etna" (center) - "B" (section marker, center and right) - "M" (section marker, center) - Diagonal lines crossing the map (appear to be flight path or search corridor markings) - "Cedar Creek School" (lower-left of center) - "Bald Mtn" (center-right, with elevation notation)
Lower portion: - "OLD POINT A" (center, hand-drawn annotation) - "NEW POINT A" (lower-left, hand-drawn annotation) - "Pine Grove" (left side) - "E L N" (partial text, likely part of a county or region name) - "View" (right of center) - "R" (section marker, right side) - "O" (section marker, lower center) - "La Center" (bottom-left corner, partially cut off) - Section numbers visible: 55, 12, 13, 14, 26, 29, 30, 35 - "H.Q" or "H.q" (lower left area)
Bottom-right corner: - "DB Cooper-34142" (case reference stamp)
[Two hole-punch marks visible at top of page]
[Topographic map showing a rural area with contour lines, roads, rivers, and labeled features.]
Visible place names (reading roughly top-to-bottom, left-to-right): - Schumaker Mountain (upper left quadrant) - Clover Valley Sch (left side) - Gravel Pit (left side, below Clover Valley) - Cedar Creek School (center-left) - [guess: Houghton] (center area, partially obscured) - Late Pr[illegible] (center) - Etna (center-right) - Cedar[illegible] (right side) - SEARCH AREA (large diagonal text across center-right, overlaid on map) - Highland Cem (center-lower area) - Mt. [guess: bland] / Ht. [guess: blanc] (center) - Pine Grove (left side, lower portion) - La Center (bottom-left corner) - View (right side)
Section numbers visible: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 Grid line numbers on right margin: 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 Elevation contour lines throughout. A river or creek runs roughly north-south through the center of the map. Diagonal hatched lines overlay the map marking the designated SEARCH AREA. Route marker visible: circled number (likely state highway).
Bates stamp at bottom right: DB Cooper-34143
[Topographic map showing section of southwestern Washington state]
Place names visible (top to bottom, left to right): - Schumaker Mountain (upper left) - Clover Valley Sch. (left side) - Gravel Pit (left side) - Cedar C[reek] School (center-left) - [SEARCH] (hatched/shaded area, center-left, partially obscured) - Pine Gr[ove] (left edge) - Highland (center) - Etna (upper center) - Cedar (upper right) - Ariel (upper right) - Bald Mtn (right side) - View (right side) - La Center (lower left) - [guess: Cem] (cemetery, lower left area)
Route/Road: Highway [guess: 13] visible running north-south through center
River: [guess: LEWIS] RIVER running roughly north-south through upper-center portion
Section numbers visible: 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Grid reference numbers along right edge: 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 86, 89, 90
Elevation contour lines throughout
Hatched/cross-hatched area in center-left quadrant (possibly indicating a designated search area)
Stamp at bottom right: DB Cooper-34144
SE 164-81
---
CURRENT INVESTIGATION
---
DB Cooper-34145
SE 164-81
---
ARTIST SKETCH
In an effort to show Unsub's swarthy complexion and age more clearly, a new color sketch has been prepared and disseminated to all field offices.
---
FAA RECORDS
The Seattle Division advised the Bureau by Nitel on June 8, 1972 of the following information concerning the Federal Aviation Administration records for licensed pilots:
In considering the feasability of checking FAA records for all licensed pilots, the Oklahoma City Office has advised that FAA Aeronautical Center maintains records of over 850,000 licensed pilots. These records are filed by name or license certificate number, but not by age. Further, they do not include photographs of each licensed pilot. The FAA at Oklahoma City advises that records are permanently maintained at FAA on those pilots whose licenses have been revoked, expired or lapsed.
---
BOEING FILE REVIEW
THE BOEING COMPANY
The Boeing Company made available their personnel files of Boeing personnel who were members of the 727 Air stairs test team and officers of the Boeing Skydivers Club, which went out of existence in 1960 or 1961. These files were reviewed and several of the personnel on the list were interviewed to determine if anyone involved in the air stairs
---
33. DB Cooper-34146
SE 164-81
---
test could have been the hijacker and to determine any in- formation they might have possessed as to the identity of Unsub, all with negative rsults.
On July 31, 1972, [REDACTED], a Boeing Company [REDACTED], made available a copy of the Boeing Test Summary Report pertaining to the flight confi- guration of the 727. The following flight configuration was used during the Boeing air stairs test:
Speed - 125 knots Flaps - 25° down Altitude - 10,000 feet.
In Seattle report of SA CHARLES E. FARRELL, February 16, 1972, it is noted that Unsub requested the following flight configuration prior to taking off from Seattle-Tacoma Airport:
Gear down
Flaps - 15° down Altitude - 10,000 feet
Aft door open and the airstairs down.
When it was explained to the hijacker that the plane could not take off with the air stairs down, he re- portedly said in a low voice, "Yes they can, but the cockpit can put it down after they get airborne."
---
On July 26, 1972, [REDACTED] advised that if the hi- jacker was a member of, or had consulted with a member of the Boeing Test Team, he would have known that the 727 could not have taken off with the air stairs down, nor would it have be been necessary since the air stairs can easily be lowered in flight.
---
Stewardess [REDACTED] remarked upon being inter- viewed shortly after the hijacking, that the air stairs and the controls for the air stairs were the only functions of the aircraft that the hijacker did not seem to be fully aware of.
---
34. DB Cooper-34147
SE 164-81
---
RALEIGH CIGARETTES
Unsub is allegedly a smoker of Raleigh filter-tip cigarettes. The search of the plane involved in NORJAK conducted at Reno, Nevada, revealed eight Raleigh cigarette butts found near Unsub's seat.
On the possibility that Unsub may save Raleigh coupons and redeem them regularly, the following investiga- tion was conducted:
On January 11, 1973, [REDACTED], Coupon Redemption Center, Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company, Hill Street, Louisville, Kentucky, advised this it the only Raleigh coupon redemption center. Except for local residents who may come to the center personally, all redemptions are by mail with average of six million coupons received daily.
[REDACTED] Correspondence Section, advised that redemption orders and any correspon- dence received are retained for one year only.
She advised that since January, 1972, her records revealed that [REDACTED] Seminole, Florida, [REDACTED] sent in coupons, received on November 1, 1972 for catalog item number 50312 - a black billfold, manufactured by Amity; catalog item number 55380 - a Schick electric razor.
[REDACTED] Cincinnati, Ohio, [REDACTED] sent in coupons and received on June 5, 1972, for catalog item number 74850, a kettle-shaped grill.
Cincinnati Division reported on February 15, 1973 the following information:
On February 7, 1973, the following directories were checked by SA LOUIS P. RUSSO:
The 1973 Hains Criss Cross Directory revealed no street listed as [REDACTED] Cincinnati. A check under the street [REDACTED] Cincinnati, revealed no such [REDACTED]
---
35. DB Cooper-34148
---
b6 b7C
SE 164-81
---
listed as [REDACTED] and no such person by the name of [REDACTED]
A check of the 1972 Williams Cincinnati Suburban Directory revealed no such street listed as [REDACTED] in Cincinnati.
A check of the 1971 Williams Cincinnati City Directory revealed no such street listed as [REDACTED] in Cincinnati.
---
On February 8, 1973, [REDACTED] Cincinnati Police Department was contacted and advised that she has an individual by the name of DANIEL LEE COOPER in her files. This individual is described as follows:
Race: White Sex: Male Born: 4-25-47 SSAN: 276-44-0983 Address: 5157 Colerain
This individual was arrested for three traffic violations which are listed as follows:
4/29/67 - speeding - fined $10.00 and costs
2/21/70 - speeding - fined $10.00 and costs
11/3/70 - speeding - fined $20.00 and costs
This individual may or may not be identical to the individual that was set out in Cincinnati communication.
---
On February 8, 1973, [REDACTED] Cincinnati Credit Bureau, was contained and advised that she has no positive information identical with the individual set out in Cincinnati communication.
---
On February 8, 1973, [REDACTED] Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Cincinnati, was contacted and advised he had no record for the individual in the Cincinnati communica- tion.
---
36. DB Cooper-34149
SE 164-81
---
The Cincinnati Division reported on March 14, 1974, the following information:
---
On February 28, 1973, the 1971 Williams Cincinnati City Directory was checked and revealed a DANIEL L. COOPER residing at 5157 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, telephone [REDACTED].
---
On March 6, 1973, the 1973 Haines Criss-Cross Directory for the City of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky was checked and revealed no one is listed by the name of DANIEL LEE COOPER residing at 5157 Colerain Avenue. The check also revealed that telephone number [REDACTED] is listed to [REDACTED] residing at [REDACTED] Cincinnati.
---
The June, 1972 Cincinnati Bell Telephone Directory for Cincinnati and Metropolitan areas was checked on March 6, 1973 and revealed no one by the name of DANIEL LEE COOPER or DANIEL COOPER listed.
---
[REDACTED] Cincinnati Police Department was contacted on March 7, 1973 and advised that there is no picture in the files regarding DANIEL LEE COOPER, white, male, date of birth April 25, 1947. She also advised the only other information concerning DANIEL LEE COOPER was that he was arrested for a traffic violation in which Social Security Number 276-44-0983 was reflected in the file.
---
The following investigation was reported by the Tampa Division:
---
b6 b7C
---
37. DB Cooper-34150
Serials: 164-2111, 164-2311, 164-31, 164-35, 164-36, 164-77, 276-44-0983, AL 164-47, AN 164-59, AT 164-254, AX 164-72, BA 164-103, BE 164-81, BS 164-153, BT 164-26, BU 164-46, CE 164-101, CG 164-297, CI 164-55, CO 164-48, CV 164-88, DE 164-115, DL 164-191, EP 164-52, HN 164-85, HO 164-118, IP 164-62, JK 164-109, JN 164-32, KC 164-80, LA 164-497, LR 164-22, LS 164-71, LV 164-60, ME 164-78, MM 164-552, MO 164-34, MP 164-73, NK 164-196, NO 164-136, NY 164-627, OC 164-56, PD 164-41, PG 164-93, PH 164-133, PX 164-100, RH 164-74, SA 164-111, SC 164-50, SD 164-91, SE 164-81, SF 164-220, SU 164-24, SV 164-29, TP 164-110, WF 164-169