Part 53, page 157

Transcript

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

hijacker. "And be sure he under- stands that you can't take off with the door down." The hijacker had posed the question. Could the plane fly with the rear staircase down? It figured into the bail-out that was a part of the escape plan. Northwest officials surmised. Minimum speed, induced by lowered flaps, low altitude and a staircase leading to a safe jump. Northwest control (7:20 p. m.): "If you have to go to Mexico City, a second stop would be Yuma." Scott: "OK, we'll plan on the second stop in Yuma. We have completed fueling. The stairs have been removed. He has agreed to let us take

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off. "He just called up and told us to get the show on the road." Northwest control: "We'll keep you posted." Scott: "OK. Thank you, Sir." "He has indicated that he wants us to keep it below 1,- 000 feet. We'll take leave of you until we are in a position ourselves for take-off." Northwest control: You are cleared for take-off whenever you are ready. Good luck on 'er.' Scott: "Sorry for the trou- ble." Northwest control: "That's all right, Captain. No prob- lem." Flight 305 lifted into the darkness on its final leg at

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7:37 p. m. A Northwest spokesman said Tina Muck- low, stewardess, was permit- ted to join Scott; Robert Ra- taczak, first officer, and H. E. Anderson, second officer, in the cockpit shortly after take-off.

Crew members had fol- lowed the hijacker's instruc- tions to leave the rear stair- case unbolted. The door was open and the staircase partly extended when Flight 305 landed at Reno 3½ hours lat- er. [illegible]

The hijacker was not on the plane. The crew reported he had been glimpsed in the back, 30 minutes before ar- rival, with a parachute strapped on, ready to jump. Outside, in the darkness, it was 7 below zero. [illegible]

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DB Cooper-22495