Part 27, page 119
DB Cooper-9095Serials SE 164-81
Document date 3 August 1972
FBI 164-81, Vault Part 27 p. 119 (DB Cooper-9095), Memo, dated 3 Aug 1972, serial SE 164-81-3740 (as read from the transcript) — cooper.theunsolved.net/parts/Cooper-Part-27/pages/119
Transcript
The scan is the source; the transcript is machine-generated from it.
SE 164-81
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It is noted that UNSUB in this matter requested that the aft door must be opened and the stairs down during take off. When it was explained to the hijacker that the plane could not take off with the stairs down, he reportedly said in a low voice, "Yes they can, but the cockpit can put it down after they get airborne."
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On 7/26/72, [REDACTED] Boeing Company Executive, advised that if the hijacker 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 been necessary, since the air stairs can easily be lowered in flight.
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On 7/31/72, [REDACTED] advised that all personnel involved in the Boeing tests have been interviewed by Boeing Security Personnel and at the time of interview, copies of the artist's conception of UNSUB were provided to those personnel interviewed. [REDACTED] specifically requested that any further interviews with Boeing personnel be arranged through him and that consideration be given to prior contact with Boeing employees because of valuable work time involved.
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On 7/31/72, [REDACTED] made available, a copy of the Boeing tests summary report dealing with the flight configuration of the 727 during testing. The following is a summary of the configuration used during the Boeing air stairs test:
Speed - 125 knots Flaps - 25 degrees down Altitude - 10,000 feet
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The following information was obtained from The Boeing report:
"...the air stair was quite stable when it was down and no airplane control problems were experienced. No excessive cabin pressure transients were noted with the aft entry door open and the stair extended. The environment near the aft entry door allowed it to be safely opened and the stair retracted at speeds up to 300 knots."
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In Seattle report of SA CHARLES E. FARRELL dated 2/16/72, it is noted that UNSUB requested the following configuration upon taking off from Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport:
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DB Cooper-9095