Part 34, page 257

Transcript

The scan is the source; the transcript is machine-generated from it.

SE 164-81

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On 11/19/73, [REDACTED] Novato, California, advised as follows:

Since he had seen the movie "Airport" on television he has given a great deal of thought as to how this crime was perpetrated. He stated that he was principally interested in obtaining any reward that might be forthcoming for furnishing information concerning this case. He also stated that he had formally worked on airplanes and was familiar with them; how- ever, he did not know the difference between a Boeing 727 and a 737.

In essence, [REDACTED] theory is that the hijacker was probably a mechanic for Northwest Orient Airlines and at some time prior to the hijacking, had access to this particular aircraft. According to [REDACTED] any confident mechanic, if given enough time, could remove panels from the airplane, either in the floor or restroom area, secrete himself in the space after fashioning some kind of device to pull the panel or floor in behind him. He suggested that the hijacker could have gotten into the cargo area and hidden in a box in the above manner. [REDACTED] theory was that a mechanic with the Airline could have accomplished these things at any time when the aircraft was having a major overhaul.

It should be pointed out that in all probability the hijacker jumped from the aircraft since there was evidence of a pressure change when the stairwell closed apparently after a heavy object jumped from the stairs. The same pres- sure change occurred when a subsequent demonstration was con- ducted by throwing a 150 lb. object from the stairs.

The Minneapolis Division advised by communication dated 1/4/74 as follows:

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Northwest Orient Airlines, was contacted on 12/17/73. [REDACTED] advised that it would be virtually impossible for unknown subject to remove panels from the airplane, either in the floor or restroom area, in order to secrete himself under the floor of the airplane. He advised that in order to remove the panels, rivets must be removed. He advised that the floor panels are small and it would require the removal of several of the panels in order for a man to secrete himself under the floor. [REDACTED] advised that an individual very familiar with the aircraft could get from the cabin area to the cargo area using internal passages. He advised that if the individual accomplished this feat, he would experience extreme cold. He advised that the air pressure in the cargo area is adjusted and could be tolerated by an individual.

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7 DB Cooper-1289