Seattle report re NORJAK: air/ground and terrain searches, current investigation (SE 164-81)
Also filed separately as sections:
- FBI report re NORJAK, cont.: current investigation, artist sketch, Boeing file review, Raleigh cigarette leads
- Seattle NORJAK report sections: first skyjacking utilizing parachutes, Calgary/Air Canada correlations, SR-71 flight, attache case
- Seattle report sections: first skyjacking utilizing parachutes, Calgary hijacking correlations, SR-71 aerial photography (SE 164-81)
- FBI report re NORJAK: Calgary/Air Canada skyjacking correlations, SR-71 flight and attache case analysis
- Seattle report SE 164-81 re first skyjacking using parachutes, Calgary correlations, SR-71 flights and attache case
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Id: Cooper-Part-95:279-306
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-95:279-306 Document: Seattle report re NORJAK: air/ground and terrain searches, current investigation (SE 164-81) Id: Cooper-Part-95:279-306 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-95%3A279-306 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 95 pp. 279–306 (DB Cooper-42686–42713), Report — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-95%3A279-306
SE 164--81
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On 11/24-25/71, 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.
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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 Yacolt, 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.
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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.
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20. DB Cooper-42686
SE 104-81 T:Hskdl
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Based upon information received from the Seattle Division 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.
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On November 26, 1971 personnel of the Clark County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff EUGENE COTTON, and [ ], com- sisting of twelve cars and four aerial observers, seven cars of the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, and eleven deputies under Sheriff CHARLES E. GILL and [ ] In addition, three officers of the Woodland, [sic] Washington Police Department and six Agents were at the scene.
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On November 26, 1971, after law enforcement officers were briefed on facts known to that point and what was being sought and having been familiarized with the prior 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 available, was furnished to all personnel involved in the search. Further instructions were given to the officers to request 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.
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21.
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DB Cooper-42687
SE 134-81 Undated
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On November 25, [guess: 1971] the banks of Lake [guess: Merwin], partly located in the police search area, were completely patrolled by the bases 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 [guess: unable] to be checked on November 26, 1971 but on November 27, 1971 was checked by helicopter with negative results.
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On November 26, 1971 two Army helicopters, one Bonneville Power Administration helicopter, and one [guess: Weyerhaeuser] Company helicopter plus five fixed wing aircraft from Woodland and Vancouver, Washington were [guess: 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.
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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 on [guess: the] local cut [guess: a] sed upon [guess: criteria] data [guess: furnished] by [guess: Northwest] Airlines [guess: we] [guess: of] [illegible] position at the time [guess: and] not left the plane. An area averaging ten miles on the east and west sides of the airline flight path and [guess: extending] from the vicinity of [guess: Kelama], Washington to the suburbs of Vancouver, Washington was [guess: gridded] and [guess: criss] crossed by the [guess: aircraft] mentioned with negative results. All sightings of suspicious items were checked with negative results.
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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.
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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.
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22.
DB Cooper-42688
SE 164-63 SUHskdB
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Airports and Flight Services:
Scholls, Orchard, Washington [REDACTED] Vancouver, Washington
Evergreen Airfield, [REDACTED] Vancouver, Washington
Pearson Air Park, [REDACTED] Vancouver, Washington Shercraft, Inc. Pearson Air Park Aircraft Specialties at Pearson Air Park - [REDACTED]
Northwest Flight Services, Inc. Pearson Air / Park -[REDACTED] Vancouver Flying Service, Pearson Air Park, [REDACTED], Camas, Washington,
Kelso-Longview Airport, Kelso, Washington -
Farm and Forest Helicopter Service, Napavine, Washington Hillsborough Aviation, Pearson Air Park, Vancouver, Washington Toledo Airport, Toledo, Washington Chehalis - Centralia Airport, Chehalis, Washington
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On November 29, 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.
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23.
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DB Cooper-42689
SE 164-81
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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.
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24.
DB Cooper-42690
SE 164-81
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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.
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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.
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25.
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DB Cooper-42691
SE 164-81
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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.
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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.
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26.
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DB Cooper-42692
SE 164-81
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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."
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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
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27.
DB Cooper-42693
SE 164-81
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all received expeditious and thorough attention but all results were negative.
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SECOND TERRAIN SEARCH
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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.
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28. DB Cooper-42694
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b6 b7C
Hand-annotated topographic map showing two flight paths:
Upper annotations: NEW COURSE (with arrow pointing northeast) OLD COURSE (with arrow pointing northeast)
Lower annotations: OLD POINT "A" NEW POINT "A"
Grid section labels visible: D, M, B, U, A, E, N, O, R, K
Place names visible on map: Clover Valley Cedar Creek School Pine Grove La Center Hayes [guess: Heisson] Bald Mtn (1843) Ariel Green Mtn Hall Hockinson [guess: Mtn] [guess: Cen] View [guess: Brewer]
Elevation markers: 27, 35, 30, 1025, 1843 Section numbers visible: 13, 14, 15, 29, 33, 35
Bottom right corner: /DB Cooper-42695
[Topographic map with diagonal hatched overlay labeled:] TERRAIN SEARCH AREA
[Visible geographic labels:] Schumaker Mountain Clover Valley Sch Gravel Pit Cedar Creek School Etna Pine Grove Highland Cer[guess: Cemetery] Lee Center Ariel [guess: Cedar] [guess: View]
[Township/Range section numbers visible:] 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
[Grid reference numbers along right edge:] 89, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 79
[Route marker visible:] US [guess: 503 or similar highway marker]
[Two large filled circles (dots) appear at the top of the map near sections 28-29 and 30]
[Bottom right corner stamp:] DB Cooper-42696
[Topographic map showing sections numbered 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 with grid lines numbered 79–90 along the right edge]
Labeled features: - Schumacher Mountain (upper left) - Ariel (upper right) - Clover Valley Sch. (left center) - Etna (center) - Cedar Creek School (left of center) - Gravel Pit (left) - Bald Mtn (right center) - Hi Island (center) - Pine Gr[ove] (lower left) - La Center (bottom left) - [guess: View] (right edge near line 83)
Overlay text: "2ND TERRAIN SEARCH"
A large hatched/cross-hatched zone runs diagonally (roughly NNW to SSE) through the center of the map, spanning from approximately section 27/30 down through section 31, indicating the area covered by the second terrain search.
Diagonal lines (likely representing roads, railroad, or flight path) cross the map from upper-left to lower-center.
Bottom right corner label: DB Cooper-42697
SE 164-81
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CURRENT INVESTIGATION
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32. DB Cooper-42698
SE 164-81
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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.
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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.
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BOEING FILE REVIEW
THE BOEING COMPANY
[REDACTED - b3]
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
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DB Cooper-42699
SE 164-81
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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.
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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.
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In Seattle report of SA CHARLES E. FARRELL, February 16, 1972, it is noted that Unsub requested the following flight configuation prior to taking off from Seattle-Tacoma Airport:
Gear down
Flaps - 15° down Altitude - 10,000 feet
Aft door open and the air stairs down.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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34.
DB Cooper-42700
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b6 b7C
SE 164-81
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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] [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]
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35. DB Cooper-42701
SE 164-81
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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36.
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DB Cooper-42702
SE 164-81
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The Cincinnati Division reported on March 14, 1974, the following information:
On February 28, 1973, the 1971 Williams Cincinnati City Directorywas 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:
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37. DB Cooper-42703
TP 164-110 JNB:rab 1
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The following investigation was conducted by SA JEROME N. BOWERS, at Seminole and St. Petersburg, Florida:
On February 6, 1973, a review of the current tele- phone directory for the St. Petersburg, Florida, area, re- flected a [REDACTED], Seminole, b6 Florida, telephone [REDACTED]. b7C
On February 7, 1973, [REDACTED], St. Petersburg Credit Bureau, St. Petersburg, Florida, advised her records contain the following information concerning a [REDACTED] with the above residence:
Employments: [REDACTED] - Super Par Oil Service b6 Station - [REDACTED] b7C [REDACTED] - Modern Plating Company, St. Petersburg, Florida, [REDACTED] - Woolums Manufacturing Company, St. Petersburg, Florida - [REDACTED] to present - L'il General Food Stores, St. Peters- burg, Florida Current residence: [REDACTED] Seminole, Florida
The above records reflected an inquiry dated April, 1966, from a St. Paul, Minnesota, Credit Bureau regarding this individual. This inquiry was not further explained.
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On February 8, 1973, the following agencies were contacted concerning the above individual with negative re- sults:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Clearwater, Florida Files reviewed by [REDACTED] b6 b7C St. Petersburg Police Department St. Petersburg, Florida Files reviewed by [REDACTED]
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38.
DB Cooper-42704
TP 164-110 2
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On February 14, 1973, [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Suncoast Division Office, 6135 32nd Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida, advised their records reflect [REDACTED] to be currently employed with their firm. [REDACTED] adviscd the above firm includes several food chains located in the Florida area. She said [REDACTED] has been em- ployed with their food chain since [REDACTED] and is presently a [REDACTED] at Farm and Town, 1243 Lakeview, Clearwater, Florida.
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On February 23, 1973, [REDACTED] Suncoast Division Office, described above, advised [REDACTED] has been an excellent employee with this firm since [REDACTED] [REDACTED] described [REDACTED] as follows:
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Race: White Sex: Male Date of birth: [REDACTED] Place of birth: [REDACTED] Residence: Seminole, Florida Height: 6'2" Weight: 185 pounds Hair: Dark, partially bla[d], high forehead Characteristics: Wears glasses
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[REDACTED] stated their records reflect [REDACTED] to be on duty on November 24, 1971.
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DB Cooper-42705
SE 164-81
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FIRST SKYJACKING UTILIZING PARACHUTES
In an effort to determine the origin of the D.B. COOPER hijacking (i.e. the original idea behind the skyjack plan), a review was conducted of the magazine and newspaper articles written just prior to NORJAK.
The below quoted newspaper article described the first known skyjacking in which a parachute was used by the skyjacker.
The Seattle Times, November 13, 1971:
"Calgary, Alberta - (UPI) - A masked hyjacker carrying more than 40 pounds of dynamite was knocked un- conscious today by an Air Canada crewman wielding a fire ax. The crewman's action 3,000 feet in the air ended a six- hour hijacking which skipped back and forth over the United States - Canadian border.
"The hijacker, reported in fair condition today with a possible skull fracture, was putting on a parachute to bail out of the DC8 over Calgary when he was struck by the ax.
"The hijacker, carrying a shotgun in addition to the dynamite, took control last night of the Calgary to Montreal flight carrying 123 persons. Claiming to be a member of the Irish Republican Army, the man demanded $1.5 million and a free passage to Ireland. (A touring I.R.A. spokesman denied that the hijacker belonged to the I.R.A.)
"After landing in Great Falls, Montana, the man accepted $50,000 ransom. The plane took off, landed again at Great Falls, and the man let the passengers to unharmed. But, he ordered the plane with its five-member crew to take off again. Indecision on the part of the hijacker led the plane back and forth across the border before he ap- parently decided to jump.
"An Air Canada official said that as the hijacker was preparing to jump, the pilo[redacted]
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40.
DB Cooper-42706
SE 164-81
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jumped him and [REDACTED] came up behind him and 'let him have it with a fire ax.'
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"Flight 812 made its first landing at Great Falls after the hijacker had taken over 40 miles west of Winnipeg, Manitoba. There it was refueled and the $50,000 was handed to the hijacker by a policewoman. The money was raised by bankers as the plane circled the city for two hours.
"The plane then took off for a scheduled stop in Regina, Saskatchewan, to let the 114 passengers aboard disembark. The plane did not land in Regina, however, but turned back and set down in Great Falls again where the passengers and three of the nine crew members were set free.
"On its second take-off from Great Falls, Air Canada officials said the hijacker wanted to be taken to New York City before proceeding to Ireland. The man, des- cribed as 5-feet-7, dark-haired and in his 30's then decided he wanted to go to Phoenix, Arizona, but finally settled for Calgary.
"At Great Falls Airport, Gov. FORREST ANDERSON and hundreds of onlookers stood by. ANDERSON said he came to persuade the hijacker to surrender or at least release the passengers. He never saw the hijacker, however,"
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The Seattle Post Intelligencer
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"Calgary, Alta. - (UPI) - A masked man armed with a sawed-off shotgun and dynamite who could not make up his mind where he anted to go was knocked out by a crew member early today to end a bizarre hijacking flight on an Air Canada DC 8.
"The hijacker was captured when a crew member struck him with a fire ax as the man was bending over to put on a parachute he was carrying, Air Canada said. A local hospital reported the hijacker suffered lacerations on his head.
"The plane - originally bound from Vancouver, B.C. to Montreal - was commandeered with 127 persons aboard.
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41.
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DB Cooper-42707
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b6 b7C
SE 164-81
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"It had flown back and forth between Canada and the United States at the orders of the hijacker who at first said he wanted to go to Ireland. He claimed to belong to the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
"The passengers were released on the second of two stops the hijacked plane made at Great Falls, Mont.
"Just before landing here [REDACTED] of the four- engine jet radioed that the hijacker was unconscious, Air Canada officials said. [REDACTED], however, called for bomb disposal experts to stand by.
"Right after landing in Calgary the man was whisked away by ambulance.
"Earlier the man had extracted $50,000 ransom for the release of the passengers and most of the crew dur- ing the second time it landed at Great Falls.
"'The guy was wearing a mask and holding what appeared to be dynamite and a sawed-off shotgun,' an Air Canada spokesman said in Montreal.
"The hyjacker first demanded $1.5 million ransom and a flight to Ireland. After hijacking the plane fol- lowing a stop here, he ordered it to Great Falls where a policewoman carried two suitcases with $50,000 to the cock- pit and they were raised by a rope [REDACTED].
"The hijacker then ordered the plane to fly to Regina, Sask., where he said the passengers would be released, but after a half hour, the plane returned to Great Falls and the passengers were released there.
"While the plane was on the ground in Great Falls, an unidentified FBI agent tried unsuccessfully to talk the hijacker into giving up. The plane took on 130,000 gallons of fuel at Great Falls for the possible flight to Ireland.
"The plane took off for a second time with the [REDACTED], filing a flight plan for Phoenix, Ariz. But later the DC8 made a midcourse change and the plane headed for Calgary.
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42.
DB Cooper-42708
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b6 b7C
SE 164-81
"Five crewmen, including a stewardess, remained on the plane.
"The passengers were taken by police van from the plane to the air terminal. Officers refused to let newsmen talk with them.
"Police said the hijacker warned the passengers not to talk about what happened on the four-engine aircraft or he would kill the crew. Officers said he had a transistor radio and was listening to local newscasts while the plane was on the ground.
"One passenger, a young woman, appeared distraught and was placed in a wheelchair after she was helped out of the plane.
"Stewardess [REDACTED] told officials none of the passengers was aware of the hijack until the plane made its first landing here.
"Policewoman [REDACTED] brought the money to the hijacker. She said the money was provided by the First Westside National Bank of Great Falls. She refused to disclose who ordered the payment of the ransom.
[REDACTED], an IRA representative touring Western Canada, told a Great Falls television newsman that his organization abhored hijackings and disavowed the current attempt.
"The plane landed at Great Falls International Airport, and the man gave [REDACTED] 15 minutes to refuel and obtain the money. [REDACTED] was ordered to circle the airport until the money was brought to the facility, about 100 miles south of the Canadian border.
"The plane was carrying 115 paid passengers, three airline employees and a crew of nine."
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DB Cooper-42709
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43.
SE 164-81
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CORRELATIONS
CALGARY COOPER
Ransom $50,000 $200,000
Plane DC 8 Boeing 727
Weapons Dynamite/shotgun Dynamite
Mistakes Indecision, crew None (Note: Cleared apprehended while plane prior to donning donning parachute. parachute)
Modus Let passengers go Let passengers go after Operandi after receiving receiving ransom. First ransom. Suggested suggested Mexico, crew New York City then countered with San Francisco, Ireland then decided hijacker suggested Phoenix, on Phoenix, Arizona, Arizona, crew countered with but finally settled Yuma or Reno, he chose Reno. for Calgary.
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Since this skyjacking was given a great deal of publicity at the time, it is felt Unsub may have used this event to help him formulate his own skyjacking plans.
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44.
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DB Cooper-42710
SE 164-81
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SR 71 FLIGHT
U.S. AIR FORCE SR-71 AIRCRAFT
By communication December 3, 1971, the Sacramento Di- vision advised that Beale Air Force Base, California, had offered, free of charge to the Bureau, use of an SR-71 air- craft to photograph terrain over which the hijacked airplane had flown on its trip to Reno.
This aircraft was described as an extremely sophis- ticated aerial reconnaissance plane which would photograph a strip 20 miles wide with photographic resolution of detecting objects on the ground 2 feet square. The film strip would then be reviewed by trained and qualified U.S. Air Force personnel.
By communication February 17, 1972 the Sacramento Di- vision advised that photographic over-flights using SR-71 aircraft were conducted on five separate occasions with no photographs obtained due to limited visibility from very high altitude. SR-71 Flights from Beale Air Force Base advised each such flight requires minimum of one week advance clearance with FAA due to sonic boom problem, specialized computer programming of aircraft, filing of flight plan and compliance with FAA requirements. Accordingly, weather on flight date cannot be accurately predicted. He stated no future flights over specific area where hijacker possibly exited could be scheduled since SR-71 aircraft committed for military missions.
By communication, November 1, 1972, Seattle Division advised the Bureau and Norfolk that Unsub had in his possession, prior to the time he jumped, the following paraphernalia:
A. Parachute Back Pack B. Parachute Chest Pack C. Briefcase or attache case D. Dark overcoat E. A 4x12x14 paper bag F. A pair of dark slip-on shoes G. Wrap-around sunglasses with dark rims H. 10,000 $20 bills
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45.
DB Cooper-42711
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b6 b7C
SE 164-81
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Since none of the above was found when the plane was searched at Reno, Unsub must have taken them with him, or discarded some of them prior to jumping.
The above-described attache case supposedly contained a bomb. It is believed Unsub threw this attache case from the plane prior to his jumping, because of the numerous other items he had to carry. If he did throw it prior to jumping, it would fall almost directly in the path of the aircraft. The 727 air stairs were lowered sometime after 7:42 p.m. and Unsub jumped prior to 8:15 p.m. on November 24, 1971. The plane covered a distance of approximately 87 miles during this time.
The items could possibly be lodged in thickly wooded, mountainous terrain. The search area would cover a strip of land approximately 87 miles long by one-half mile wide. It has been suggested that infrared photography might possibly indicate non-living material, such as an attache case, in a darker shade than living material, thereby enabling the case to be found using infrared high resolution photography.
Since Unsub possibly discarded the attache case prior to jumping, he could not have buried or hidden it. The case would have dropped directly in the flight path of the plane and could possibly be visible from the air. The length of time Unsub would have to throw the case or any other time is limited to 33 minutes, and therefore the area covered is relatively small when compared to the entire flight path.
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By communication November 9, 1972, the Norfolk Division advised that interviews were conducted with the following individuals assigned to the [REDACTED] b6 [REDACTED], Langley Air Force Base, Virginia: b7C
[REDACTED]
[REDACTED]
[REDACTED]
It was the consensus of opinion among the three individuals above, each of whom has had considerable experience
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46. DB Cooper-42712
SE 164-81
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with infrared imagery, that efforts to locate the attache case by this means would prob·bly prove futile. The terrain, as described, would neutralize any effort, particularly if tall trees and mountains are part of its makeup. Further explained was the necessity for the presence of heat which would need to be generated by the object (attache case) in contrast to the surrounding terrain for successful infrared high resolution photography. The size of the attache case provides a poor target for any type of aerial photography, including visual photography.
All three individuals interviewed continued to express their negative feelings as to the success of either of the aerial photography procedures in this particular instance.
The Alexandria Division was requested to determine the feasibility of routing a visual aerial photography training mission over the area of interest. Alexandria advised by airtel dated February 8, 1973, that [REDACTED] [REDACTED] was contacted and he advised that he had made inquiry into this matter and stated that in the event Seattle wished to have military assistance in this matter then Seattle should request the Director to submit a letter of request to the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301. In this letter the full particulars of the matter should be set forth as well as whether or not the Bureau or Department of Justice is willing to observe the additional cost if any to the Air Force. [REDACTED] advised that he could not state positively that the request would be granted, however, advised that it was his opinion that if this were to be a reimbursable project, that it would probably receive more favorable action. However, in any event, upon receipt of the letter a conference would be held within the appropriate military organization to ascertain the feasibility of such missions and the Bureau would be properly notified.
In view of the above information no further request was made to have a visual aerial photography training mission at this time. Consideration may be given to this type of survey if new methods or monies become available.
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47. DB Cooper-42713
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b6 b7c b6 b7c
Serials: SE 104-81, SE 134-81, SE 164-63, SE 164-81, TP 164-110