Part 96, page 262

Transcript

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

Help Us Find Skyjacker Who Vanished With $200,000 Cash

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The FBI has asked ENQUIRER readers to help crack the mystery behind one of the great unsolved crimes of the past 25 years — who and where is skyjacker D.B. Cooper?

A man using that name hijacked a jetliner in 1971 and parachuted into the darkness over Oregon, carrying $200,000 in cash with him. No trace of him or the money has ever been found.

"Readers of The ENQUIRER could help us solve the mystery," said FBI Agent Ralph Himmelsbach, who has been working on the case since the hijacking. "Since we haven't found him, the case is still open and we're still looking."

Cooper — a tall, dark-complexioned man neatly dressed in a business suit, topcoat and brown oxfords — hijacked a Portland-to-Seattle jet on the evening of Nov. 24, 1971.

He demanded that 10,000 $20-bills be delivered to him at Seattle along with four parachutes — or he would blow up the plane.

Airline officials complied with his demand. In return, Cooper allowed the 36 passengers and two of the three stewardesses to leave the plane.

He then ordered the pilot to fly south to Reno, Nev., at 200 mph at 10,000 feet with the wing flaps down. He ordered the crew members to stay in the cockpit.

A few minutes later in the dark skies over Oregon, Cooper unlatched the jet's rear boarding ramp and jumped out, wearing one of the parachutes.

The plane was flying at 196 mph, the temperature was 7 degrees below zero and there were winds of up to 50 mph. As far as is known, Cooper wore no goggles or protective clothing.

Using a computer, the FBI calculated he parachuted into a 24-square-mile area on the Washington-Oregon border near the rugged shores of Lake Merwin in an area of dense woods and craggy foothills, almost impenetrable in many places.

"For him to have gotten down uninjured would have been a tremendous feat or a tremendous stroke of luck," said Himmelsbach.

If Cooper died that night, no one has ever admitted finding his body — or the $200,000 ransom.

"Let's assume Cooper didn't survive the jump," Himmelsbach said in explaining how ENQUIRER readers could help.

"That means there is someone somewhere who went missing about that time and has never returned. And even if Cooper did survive, he may not have returned to his family.

"So, we'd be interested in information from ENQUIRER readers about any missing person who might fit Cooper's description.

"If he did survive the jump, that means that unless he is very careful about spending the money a little at a time, he might be noticeable by any changes in his life-style. If he was not a wealthy man and he started making purchases beyond his means, then this is something to look for.

"ENQUIRER readers, especially bank tellers and others who regularly handle money, also could help by scanning their $20 bills and checking them against the list of missing bills."

Anyone who might have specific information that might help solve this mystery should call or write their local police or FBI office or write to: Special Agent in Charge, FBI, 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, Wash. 98174.

Do not send any anonymous information. Authorities may wish to contact you to confirm the information, so be sure to include your name, address and phone number.

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SKYJACKER FBI artist's version of the mysterious D.B. Cooper.

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DENNIS NEELD

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SEARCHED _____ INDEXED SERIALIZED _____ FILED

DEC 1 7 1979

FBI-PORTLAND

DB Cooper-43187