Part 78, page 259

Transcript

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

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