FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FREEDOM OF INFORMATION/PRIVACY ACTS SECTION COVER SHEET
SUBJECT: D. B. COOPERNOTICE
THE BEST COPIES OBTAINABLE ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPRODUCTION OF THE FILE. PAGES INCLUDED THAT ARE BLURRED, LIGHT OR OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO READ ARE THE RESULT OF THE CONDITION AND OR COLOR OF THE ORIGINALS PROVIDED. THESE ARE THE BEST COPIES AVAILABLE.BUR LV 154-30
revised version
initial sketch
UNKNOWN SUBJECT; HIJACKING OF NORTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT 305 PORTLAND, OREGON 11/24/71 CAA - HIJACKING; EXTORTION
16/-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 3, 1971
Attorney General John N. Mitchell announced today that a "ransom list" of the known serial-numbered bills that were given to the hijacker of Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 on November 24, 1971; has been prepared and is being distributed by the EBI throughout the ec mir? "BI Director J. Edgar Hoover advised that the "ransom ".t. " 34 pages in length, contains the serial numbers of 220 Federal Reserve Notes which were paid to the hijacker for the release of 36 passengers ang Evo crew members.
" 34 pages in length, contains the serial numbers of 220 Federal Reserve Notes which were paid to the hijacker for the release of 36 passengers ang Evo crew members. The hijacker boarded the flight at Portland, Crcgo and hijacked the plane just prior to surival in Seattle, Washington. Tois believed to have parachuted from the Boeing +':7 aircraft while it was fa " flight from Seattle to Reno, Nevada.
Mr. Poover advised that copies of the "ransom list are being furnished to FRI Offices and police departments throughout the United States, as well as certain financial and business establishments. Tie requested anyone having any information concerning this matter to immediately contact the nearest office of the FRI, the telephone number of which may be found on the first page of most telephone directories.
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In Reply, Please Refer to File No.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Portland, Oregon December 8, 1971
UNKNOWN SUBJECT, also
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Portland, Oregon December 8, 1971
UNKNOWN SUBJECT, also known as Dan Cooper, Northwest Airlines Flight #305, Portland to Seattle, November 24, 1971
1
"The Daily Telegraph", a London, England, newspaper, contained an article on May 28, 1971, on Page 4, describing a plot by an unknown subject using the name "Mr. Brown". This individual hoaxed the Qantas Airline at the Sydney International Airport, apparently in Australia, into paying 235,000 pounds ransom money after a bomb threat. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 707 Airliner. "Mr. Brown" is not described in the article, but an "Identikit" picture of him bears a resemblance to an artist's sketch of an unknown subject who hijacked an airliner between Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, on November 24, 1971, and extorted $200,000 from Northwest Orient Airlines. This individual is described as white male, 6'1" tall, 170-175 pounds, age-mid-forties, olive complexion, brown eyes, black hair, conventional cut, parted on left; slender build.
This individual is described as white male, 6'1" tall, 170-175 pounds, age-mid-forties, olive complexion, brown eyes, black hair, conventional cut, parted on left; slender build.
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ENCLOSURE
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BUR 164-2111 11:30-71
UNKNOWN SUBJECT NORTHWEST AIRLINES, FLIGHT 305 PORTLAND TO SEATTLE NOVEMBER 24, 1971 CRIME ABOARD AIRCRAFT - HIJACKING; EXTORTION
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AIR LINE PILOT VIEWPOINTS ...
8
The Robin Hood syndrome
t Once upon a time there was an English archer named Robin Hood who lived in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire. He gathered unto himself a band of rebels who supported themselves by robbing the rich upperclass gentry that ventured into his domain.
He gathered unto himself a band of rebels who supported themselves by robbing the rich upperclass gentry that ventured into his domain.
Over the years, Mr. Hood has been immortalized in song and poem for his legendary deeds. Many proverbs and sayings have been handed down in Eng- lish literature that give this group of rogues an undeserved aura of respecta- bility.
Legends die hard. Mr. Hood and his gangsters still occupy an honored place in story books, cartoons and films al- though their greedy motivations have been sanitized for young minds.
While Air Line Pilot is not in the busi- ness of destroying legends, one fact is clear. Mr. Hood was a thief, pure and simple, even though those he relieved of their gold might have been able to afford the loss.
A modern-day Robin Hood has now emerged. He told Northwest Airlines his name was D. B. Cooper when he boarded Flight 305 during the Thanks- giving holidays. After takeoff, he com- mandeered the 727, threatened to blow it up, demanded and got $200,000 and four parachutes and then bailed out somewhere between Portland, Ore.
After takeoff, he com- mandeered the 727, threatened to blow it up, demanded and got $200,000 and four parachutes and then bailed out somewhere between Portland, Ore., and Reno, Nev.
When it turned out that Mr. Cooper couldn't be promptly located, his name : and dramatic deed caught the public fancy. There were some citizens who felt he had earned the $200,000 through his act of bravery and daring. A song was written about him; a Portland ven- dor is reportedly doing well selling T-
shirts featuring a parachute descending with a suitcase full of greenbacks.
Dr. Otto Larsen, sociology professor at Washington University, is reported to have explained the newly aroused Robin Hood syndrome this way:
"We all like adventure stories., That hijacker took the greatest ultimate risk He showed real heroic features mys tery, drama, romanticism, a high degree of skill and all the necessities perfect crime.
"This man was neither political nor neurotic. His motive was simply $200; 000 and people can understand that.
"His was an awesome feat in the bat- tle of man against machine.
His motive was simply $200; 000 and people can understand that.
"His was an awesome feat in the bat- tle of man against machine. One indi- vidual overcoming, for the time being anyway, technology, the corporation, the establishment, the system."
Although it may be comforting to some to be able to explain human aber rations so easily, the fact remains that Mr. Cooper, or whatever his name committed a serious crime and isno less a criminal because social scientists can explain why he committed it, endangered a plane-load of passenger intimidated the crew, blackmailed airline out of hard-earned cashkan caused damage to an aircraft.
Mr. Cooper is no hero. He is a coin inal in every sense of the word. He being sought for an act of piracy th . cannot be condoned or excused?
If Mr. Cooper is dead, justice has been done. If not, we have news for him. He is the object of one of the most thorough searches ever conducted by the FBI for a wanted criminal. Whe found, he will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
This Robin Hood will end up in ja
AIR LINE PILOT/February (1972
48The FAA On Seatbelts
It is certainly
This Robin Hood will end up in ja
AIR LINE PILOT/February (1972
48The FAA On Seatbelts
It is certainly recognized that a person experiencing an inadvertent parachute opening while secured by a safety belt would suffer serious or possibly fatal injury. On the i 2 3 other hand, we have evidence to show that accidents have been caused by jump occupants who 1 were not wearing their safety belts. 5 The Southern Region recently investigated two such accidents. 6 The pilot in each case was unable to maintain control of the jump 8 aircraft because the parachutists on 9 board were not wearing their safety 0 belts. What should have been nothing more than two minor in- cidents resulted in serious accidents
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3 through noncompliance with Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.14.
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5 It is our feeling that safety 7 would suffer far more by allowing 8 parachutists to ignore this rule than 9 would be the case of requiring them 0 to have their safety belts fastened during takeoff and landing. The 2 chances of a pilot having to abort a takeoff run or make an emergency
3 stop during landing will, I
The 2 chances of a pilot having to abort a takeoff run or make an emergency
3 stop during landing will, I think, 4 be greater than inadvertent para- 5 chute openings during takeoff and 5 landing.
1 3
FAR 91.14 applies only during takeoff and landing. The rule does not prohibit unfastening safety 1 belts after a takeoff has been com- pleted; however, I would sincerely 2 hope that jump aircraft pilots 3 would request that safety belts be 4 kept fastened until an altitude has 5 been attained which would at least 6 give the victim of an inadvertent 7 parachute opening a fighting chance for survival.
8
9 Your interest in aviation safety 0 "is greatly appreciated and we will 1 further explore this problem with 2 the United States Parachute 3 Association and others that we have 4 contact with. It is hoped that you 5 will continue to assist us in our efforts to keep the Federal Aviation € Regulations realistic and effective. - 3
0 à 2
James F. Rudolph Director, Flight Standards Service Federal Aviation Administration
A BULLETIN FROM THE F.
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0 à 2
James F. Rudolph Director, Flight Standards Service Federal Aviation Administration
A BULLETIN FROM THE F.B.I.
Following is an artist's conception of the hijacker who extorted $200,000 from Northwest Airlines on November 24, 1971.
THIS MAN IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
Race White
Sex Male
Age
Mid 40's
Height 5' 10" to 6'
Weight 170 to 180 pounds
Build Average to well built
Complexion Olive, Latin appearance, medium smooth
Hair
Dark brown or black, normal style, parted on left, combed back; sideburns, low ear level
Eyes.
Possibly brown. During latter part of flight put on dark, wrap-around sunglasses with dark rims
Voice
Low, spoke intelligently; no particular accent, possibly from Midwest section of U.S.
Characteristics .
Heavy smoker of Raleigh filter tip cigarettes
Wearing Apparel
Black suit; white shirt; narrow black tie; black dress suit; black rain-type overcoat or dark top coat; dark briefcase or attache case; car- ried paper bag 4" x 12" x 14"; brown shoes.
If you have any information which might lead to the identity of this individual, please contact the nearest FBI Office which would
If you have any information which might lead to the identity of this individual, please contact the nearest FBI Office which would be found in the front of your telephone directory.
3ERRISVALYH
FIFTH
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PILOT BULLETIN INFORMATION MEMBERS Q PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION, 1329 E STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004, EXCLUSIVELY FOR MEMBERS
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VOL. 31, NO. 1
JANUARY199
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ALPA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETS
The Executive Board of the Assoc- iation resolved at its 14th meeting (Dec. 7-10) in Washington to register "total opposition" -to FAA's proposal to impose responsibility for medical certification and surveillance of flight crew members upon the individual air co. iers. The Board directed the Aero- medical-Flight Time/Duty Time Com- mi tee "to take any and all steps it !vell are necessary to prevent the adoption" of the proposal and instruct - Ec he Association's President to "pro- vice the necessary support and resour- ces," and
vell are necessary to prevent the adoption" of the proposal and instruct - Ec he Association's President to "pro- vice the necessary support and resour- ces," and including "if necessary" re- co venting the Executive board for consideratio: "of othe: appropriate Co. ses of action."
The Board, after lengthy discussion concerning the impact of the Aloha G." " ration award on ALPA's crew com- plement policy, reaffirmed its "full and vigorous support of the crew com- F . nent policy and of all existing
agreements and awards establishing :he same. " The Board said that consistent with the Nov. 23 arbitration award (which it noted "applied and interpret- ed the Association's policy as being founded on safety as related to the operating conditions and enviroment of the carrier involved") and consistent with past practice, the Boeing 737 crew complement policy is interpreted to require "with the concurrence of the Executive Committee and the Pre- sident" that the MEC on each airline involved assess that airline's conditions - and enviromental factors "and reach a determination as to the basis of imple- mentation" of the crew complement policy.
interpreted to require "with the concurrence of the Executive Committee and the Pre- sident" that the MEC on each airline involved assess that airline's conditions - and enviromental factors "and reach a determination as to the basis of imple- mentation" of the crew complement policy. The Board ordered the Presi - dent to "cause the Association to pro- vide full support to such determina- tions" and to conclude agreements that give full effect to such determi- nations.
Finally, the Board said the Pre- sident and the Executive Committee should study and evalu ate "crew co- ordinction and operating techniques on all airline jet aircraft."
Other actions taken by the Exe- cutive Board include the following: Supported the Ai.worthiness and Performance Committee in it: concern over the use of reduced-thrust takeoff procedures.
Referred a proposal that ALPA initiate an aggressive policy with FAA to establish positive contre!, climb and descent corridors, "a high-
A
LATE NEW'S ROUND UP
Revised ALPA merger policy has been adopted by the Executive Board (see page 2).
6 The Department of Transportation is investigating the manner in which c Deita 880 was contaminated by radioactive leakage.
6 The Department of Transportation is investigating the manner in which c Deita 880 was contaminated by radioactive leakage. DOT is attempt- ing to determine whether the cause was from: faulty packaging or from handling damage.
CAB examiner is against AAL-WAL merger plan (see page 4).
PATCO says FAA has fired four more controllers for their actions dur- ing a "sickout";in March 1970, bring-
'ing the number of dismissed controllers to 80. Thirty-eight of the 80 have won their jobs back through appeals proce- dures and the courts.
ALPA opposes DOT action in AAL- WAL merger case (see page 5).
· "Cooper" is no Robin Hood (see page 7).
· NTSB and FAA officials say that a National Airlines 747, which rans: afoul of turbulence, did so as the crew picked its way through thunder- storm cells using airborne radar.
Pilots should specify payments (see page 8).
WARNING NO' IMMUNH
Piloogre womed that? effec Dec. 31/ 1971- they are no longer provided with immunity when Ned Mid-a Collision Reports (FAATe 8020-1) ore filed. President Johny ETO 'Donnell oftempted to persuade Ff.
31/ 1971- they are no longer provided with immunity when Ned Mid-a Collision Reports (FAATe 8020-1) ore filed. President Johny ETO 'Donnell oftempted to persuade Ff.AA tokreta the unmunity provisionbut sayfan wwithout success.The ATC.Comm ill again seek to convir ce FAA the near mid -air reporting progra "useless without some protection b "given to the pilot and contre! As additional information become avcilable) it will be reported publications.
ly complicated subject, " to the tional ATC Committee, the national committee involved with this probi Noted that "it is in the best terest of" ALPA "to present a uni position to the government and ind try on those subject areas which fect the entire membership" and solved "that before any pil representing body of the Armici takes action on subjects under the view of an ALFA national commi and not covered by ALPA policy proposed action be brought to the tention of the responsible rational committees for their review and and lysis to ensure a coordinated posi
Directed the President "to c tively pursue" ALPA policy, adopt in 1962, " "to work to bring int national flight duty time limits inc line with
to the tention of the responsible rational committees for their review and and lysis to ensure a coordinated posi
Directed the President "to c tively pursue" ALPA policy, adopt in 1962, " "to work to bring int national flight duty time limits inc line with domestic FAR limits.
Directed the Association to tute a procedure of witholaing do from flight pay loss checks.
Noted that the use of "Air Pilots" in the name of any organ! tion, other than ALPA."is confusing and misleading to the membership the public, the government and the industry and might be harmful to the public image of the Association resolved "that all members so invol refrain from any activities which gert cicte the impression that they or the organization, association or firm de) in behalf of or under the, jurisdiction (Continued on page 2)
16.4 .2111 -4.03
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COOPER IS NO .'ROBIN HOOD'
Despite some attempts to prove otherwise through opportunism and commercialism, the person who labels himself as "D. B. Cooper" is -- if he is still alive -- no modern-day Robin Hood. He is a thief and a criminal of the highest order. He demonstrated more than passing knowledge of the air en- vironment, especially parachuting.
He is a thief and a criminal of the highest order. He demonstrated more than passing knowledge of the air en- vironment, especially parachuting. It is possible that "D. B. Cooper's" path may have crossed that of airline per- sonnel -- and airline pilots -- at some time under another name. He is re- ported to have a bitter hatred against the airlines -- he may have worked for one.
For these reasons PILOT BULLETIN is printing the specifications of the criminal that extorted $200,000 from Northwest Airlines on Nov. 24, 1971. Two artist drawings of "Cooper" are included in the hopes they may prod the memories of ALPA members who may have seen or known him in the past.
The Federal Bureau of Investiga- tion describes the man as follows: Race: White
Age: Mid-40s
Artists sketch of Cooper with and without glasses
Height: 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet Weight: 170 to 180 pounds Build: Average to well built Complexion: Olive,. Latin ap= pearance, medium smooth Hair: Dark brown or black, nor- mal style, parted on left, combed back, sideburns, low ear level Eyes: Possibly brown; during lat- ter part of flight put on dark wrap- around
pearance, medium smooth Hair: Dark brown or black, nor- mal style, parted on left, combed back, sideburns, low ear level Eyes: Possibly brown; during lat- ter part of flight put on dark wrap- around sunglasses with dark rims Voice: Low, spoke intelligently, no particular accent
Characteristic: Heavy, Raleigh filter-tip cigarettes Wearing apparel: Blackk white shirt, narrow black tich dress suit, black rain-type of dark topcoat, brown shoes; pcper bag 4 inches by 12 in inches and dark briefcase or case
If you have any informat might lead to the identity of dividual, please contact the FBI office.
ALPA PRESSES FOR ACTION ON MID-AIR COLLISIONS
Pointing to a "needless slaughter" resulting from 70 mid-air collisions of U. S. airliners in the past 25 years, ALPA urged congressional action to make collision-avoidance equipment a mandatory requirement for all aircraft operating in government-controlled airspace.
In testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation on Dec. 1, the Association emphasized the in- creasing hazards of mid-air accidents. A study made by the Department of Transportation, ALPA said, projected that by 1980 there would be approx- imately 10 mid-air collisions
A study made by the Department of Transportation, ALPA said, projected that by 1980 there would be approx- imately 10 mid-air collisions occur- ring each year. In 1971, there were four such tragedies.
ALPA recommended two govem- ment actions that should be taken im- mediately to reduce or eliminate the mid-air collision hazard:
"The first of these requires an im- mediate decision on the part of the U. S. government that the use of an ade- quate collision avoidance system or proximity warning indicator should be made mandatory for every aircraft
operated within controlled airspace.
"The other action requires that the Federal Aviation Administration take a more realistic and sophisticated approach to inflight segregation of military and general aviation aircraft .. from airline and other high performance civil aircraft."
In addition to these recommenda- tions, ALPA asked for a live evalua- tion of the several collision avoidance. systems now available. Recognizing that installation of these systems would entail particular burdens for light plane owner, ALPA called for devel- opment of a plan to help them finance this
Recognizing that installation of these systems would entail particular burdens for light plane owner, ALPA called for devel- opment of a plan to help them finance this hardware.
Although ALPA does not endorse any particular equipment now. being . offered as solutions to' the collision problem, it supported the Senate bill under consideration (S. 2264), which would facilitate the installation of collision avoidance devices. "The establishment of definite compliance dates, " ALPA said, "will also empha- size the urgency of the problem and take it out of the study' category.S.
FAA Continuing Taxiway - Exit Identification Ligh Test At JFK And
Newark
The.September 1971 PILO LETIN announced the beginnt testing of taxiway exit lighting Newark.runway 4L-22R test is ready to be implemented! runway 31R-13L. The runway show red threshold lights at ends. Green flush centerline at runway and taxiway inte are the main features of the along with green curved legg lights at the center taxiway
The airlines have probab ready issued information and dures to pilots operating into airports .
and taxiway inte are the main features of the along with green curved legg lights at the center taxiway
The airlines have probab ready issued information and dures to pilots operating into airports .: FAA will provide adai information. ALPA requests The lots cooperate in this evaluate Please send a copy of your cons to the ALPA Engineering and ty Department for information
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STAN PITKIN United States Attorney
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1012 United States Courthouse Seattle, Washington 98104 (206) 442-7970
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, > ) Plaintiff, ) v. . WILLIAM JOHN LEWIS, also known as JACK LEWIS and DONALD SYLVESTER MURPHY
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COMPLAINT I. ? VI WATTS OF U. S. C. F .... 10 SECTIONS 3Y &L. : "1. 2
Defendants.
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COUNT I
That beginning on or about the first day of February 1972, and continuing to the date of this complet :. in King County and Kitsap County in the West #. DE. . ric. of Washington, William. John Lewis, also known as J : Le and Donald Sylvester Murphy, the defendants : ein, c: wilfully and unlawfully combine, conspire an : - JA :L to commit.
John Lewis, also known as J : Le and Donald Sylvester Murphy, the defendants : ein, c: wilfully and unlawfully combine, conspire an : - JA :L to commit. offenses agalust the United States, .c At, tu violate Section 2314, Title 18, United States Code, by Casing www intending +~ devise a scheme for chten. .. by means of false and fraudulent port rets Payne Fleming to travel in interstate commerce fre .. . :: Angeles County, California to King County, Washing .... .. execution of the scheme to defraud said Karl Payne Temine of forty-five thousand dollars. The form and sdes: . de a the conspiracy was as follows :
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It was a part of the conspiracy that the defendant William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis, responding to an advertisement in the Seattle Times
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It was a part of the conspiracy that the defendant William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis, responding to an advertisement in the Seattle Times newspaper solicit a contact from the alleged aircraft hi-jacker "D. B. Com. : called Karl Payne Fleming at 'his home in Los Angeles, California on or about February 1, 1972 and stated that : "Seth Thomas" (a fictitious name adopted by the de andant Jack Lewis for the purposes of. this scheme) had bee . in touch with "D. B. Cooper", knew his true identity ind co. arrange an interview.
It was further & part of the conspiracy the. :: i defendants William John Lewis, also known as Jack Le. le and Donald Sylvester Murphy arranged for Donald Sylvester Murphy to pose as the alleged aircraft hi-jacker "L. B. Cooper". Jack Lewis photographed Donald Murphy wearing a wig and glasses and otherwise appearing much like the widely circulated "artist's conception" of "D. E. Cooper' and delivered a print to Karl Fleming in support of the scheme to defraud. Jack Lewis and Donald Murphy avrange to copy three twenty dollar bills with serial numbers th .
Cooper' and delivered a print to Karl Fleming in support of the scheme to defraud. Jack Lewis and Donald Murphy avrange to copy three twenty dollar bills with serial numbers th ... from the ransom money list - superimposed - so as to ad; to be copies of twenty dollar bills acquired by the all. c. hi-jacker "D. B. Cooper" as ransom for the release of passengers on Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on November 24, 1971
Jack Lewis furnished this fraudulent copy of the :..: ec twenty dollar bills ( copy attached hereto as Exhib. \ "A". Karl Fleming in support of the scheme to defraud.
It was further a part of the conspiracy that the defendants William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis a. Donald Sylvester Murphy falsely represented Donald Murp :.
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to be the alleged hi-jacker "D. B. Cooper" when they met with Karl Fleming at the Swept Wing Inn in King County; Washington on .or about February 16, 197? and demanded th:+ Karl Fleming produce forty-five thousand dollars i .. retur :. for "D. B. Cooper's" story about the hi-jacking. 're defendants agreed to accept thirty thousand dollar: , fraudulently representing that the money would be : id :: trust by Jack Lewis for the legal defense of "D. b. Coope.' should he be apprehended. Jack Lewis signed to document: recording that payment, one signed as "Seth Thomas' and . wherein he signed his true name ( copy attached he.to Exhibit "B").
It was further _ part of the conspiracy the the defendants William Johr. Lewis, also known as Jack itis and Donald Sylvester Murphy prepared Donald Murphy .5 1.00 as the alleged hi-jacker "D. B. Cooper" by reading the published information about the hi-jacking of Flix " 305 and the alleged hi-jacker "D.
Cooper" by reading the published information about the hi-jacking of Flix " 305 and the alleged hi-jacker "D. B. Cooper" and othervice developing a. plausible theory of the hi-jacking which be ... with a "confession" of the crime. Extraordinary steps f the security of the alleged hi-jacker "D. B. Cooper' suc requiring that the cameraman and audiohan re . c. d ..... ..!... interview do so from an extreme distance who : wow 3 :: plugs, added credibility to the fraudulent siem".
5
OVERT ACTS
1. On or about February 2, 1972 they defs ... ... William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis calle_ Ko:x Payne Fleming in Los Angeles, California from his recite at Seavue Estates, Seabeck, Washington.
2. On or about February 13, 1972 the defendant William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis called the
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Swept Wing Inn near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and made reservations for Karl Fleming for Februar: 16, 1972, requesting a ground floor room.
3. On or about February 16, 1972 the defendant William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis met w. th Karl Fleming at the Swept Wing Inn in King County, Washi .. and used the fictitious name "Seth Thomas".
4. On or about February 16, 1972 the defendant Donald Sylvester Murphy met with Karl Fleming at the Swe; . Wing Inn in King County, Washington and used the fotit: name "D. B. Cooper".
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E. On or about February 12, 1972 the defent.nt William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis received th: thousand dollars from Karl Fleming and signed twe tooune . recording the payment, one using his true name and one u. the fictitious name "Seth Thomas".
7. On or about February 21, 1972 the asfenuant William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis drove Karl Fleming around King County, Washington looking for a sec:" place to film the interview with "D.
On or about February 21, 1972 the asfenuant William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis drove Karl Fleming around King County, Washington looking for a sec:" place to film the interview with "D. B. Cooper".
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8. On or about Februar; 22, 1972 and February 23, 1972 the defendant Donald Sylvester Murphy, posing as the alleged aimerait hi-jacher "D. B. Cooper" su views with Karl Fleming and fraudulently confessed to hi-jacking Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 or. Nove :.. 1972.
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9. On or about February 23, 1972 the defendant Donald Sylvester Murphy was photographed posing as che alleged aircraft hi-jacker "D. B. Cooper" and displayou
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5. On or about February 21, 1912 the .e. .. .... William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis received three hundred dollars from Karl Fleming for expens. money .
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a copy of three twenty dollar bills in front of the camera.
· All in violation of Title 18 U.S. C. Section. 371. COUNT II
1. The defendants William John Lewis, also known as Jack Lewis and Donald Sylvester Murphy devises che so and artifice to obtain money from Kari Payne Mieming by fraudulently representing the defendant Donald S; ly ster Murphy to be the alleged aircraft hi-jacker "D. B. Cooper' as more particularly alleged in Count i of this co-plain. and all of the allegations of Count I are re.llere : 38: incorporated herein as if fully set out in Cour .:
2. On or about the 16th day and the 20th any of February, 1972 the defendants William John Lewis, Liso k: : as Jank Lewis and Donald Sylvester Murphy, hating uovisos and having intended to devise the aforesaid scheme ans artifice to defraud and to obtain money by means & fuls and fraudulent pretenses, representations and pro: .
William John Lewis, Liso k: : as Jank Lewis and Donald Sylvester Murphy, hating uovisos and having intended to devise the aforesaid scheme ans artifice to defraud and to obtain money by means & fuls and fraudulent pretenses, representations and pro: . res dii unlawfully and fraudulently induce Karl Payne Fleming to travel in interstate commerce from Los Angeles Courty, California to King County, Washington in executich of tr .. aforesaid scheme and artifice to defraud said Karl Fayne Fleming of money in an amount exceeding five thousand dollars, that is, forti .- five thousand dollars in cash.
All inviolation of Title 18 U. S.C. Section 2314
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The complainant states that this complaint is based i. the copy of three twenty dollar bills bearing serial numb ... L54904730A, L33529797A, and L20168977A acquired from Karl Fleming who states that the copy of the three bills Fiemix received .
L54904730A, L33529797A, and L20168977A acquired from Karl Fleming who states that the copy of the three bills Fiemix received . (now in the custody of the F.B. I. ) was del'veres him by Jack Lewis in support of the claim that Fleming wat interviewing the real "D.B. Cooper," which copy is attach. hereto as exhibit "A". The original copy has been : chinec by the F.B. I. laboratory in Washington, D. C. and dew rmin. . to be fraudulent in that the serial numbers, which dy mate! three numbers from the ransom paid were superimposed on twenty dollar bills prior to being copied.
Further, Jack Lewis executed the two receipts :. ^ thirty thousand dollars attached hereto as exl isit "s" (original in the custody of the F. B. I. ) in the presence of Karl Fleming and "D. B. Cooper". Fingerprints lifted from these receipts by the F.B.I. laboratory in Washington, D have been identified as belonging to William John Lewis.
Further, movie film and an audio tape of the intervie between Karl Fleming and Donald Murphy, posing as "D.S.
Further, movie film and an audio tape of the intervie between Karl Fleming and Donald Murphy, posing as "D.S. C . which took place on the morning of February 23, 1972 on a beach fronting Puget Sound in King County, Washington, ha" been viewed and heard by agents of the F.B. I. personally familiar with the defendants William John Lewis, aire knon as Jack Dewis-and Donald Sylvester Murphy; Donald Murphy : im person. Cupdated on elm as "D.B. Cooper! The Arter- view of February 23, 1972 was bornwird on movie film and audio tape taken by Neil Peter Reichline and William Barr Kaplan, from a location remote from the point of intervic' at the request of Karl Fleming (originals of the tape
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recordings, movie film and audio tape are in the custody of the F. B. I.). Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation .. familiar with William John Lewis and Donald Sylvester Murph; have listened to tapes, made by Karl Fleming, of intervier .. of "D. B. Cooper" and "Seth Thomas" and have identifi ... .. voices appearing on the tapes as William. John Lewis and Donald Sylvester Murphy.
Complainant further states .that Karl Fleming hab bee. interviewed by Special Agents of the F.B. I. and has relate.l the following:
That he, Karl Fleming, placed an advertir ... .. in the Seattle Times newspaper, alling of' .. es . West Coast, requesting that the alleged aimer .. " hi-jacker "D. B. Cooper" contact him. Karl Flaming was then a Contributing Editor of Newsweek magasine stationed in Los Angeles and the advertisement lister his home telephone number and indicated that he represented a national news magazine.
On or about February 1, 1972 Karl Flein .. received two telephone calls from a "Seth ih -.
was then a Contributing Editor of Newsweek magasine stationed in Los Angeles and the advertisement lister his home telephone number and indicated that he represented a national news magazine.
On or about February 1, 1972 Karl Flein .. received two telephone calls from a "Seth ih -. as, " who in subsequent personal contacts identifis: .. i ... ei : as Jack Lewis, the caller stating that he knew the identity of "D. B. Cooper" and could arrange an interview.
In response to this information Karl Flowing flew from Los Angeles County, California to King County, Washington on or about February 13, 15 2 and checked into a ground floor room at the Swept-Vi. Inn which had been reserved for him by Jack Lo : s, alias "Seth Thomas."
Jack Lewis contacted him there and 1.tor introduced him to "D.B. Cooper" was ente. .. . room through a sliding patic-type Guer.
The individuals identifying themselves as "Seth Thomas" and "D. B. Cooper" requested forty five thousand dollars for the story and dela .... .... the hi-jacking. The initial payment of fiftoon thousand dollars to be paid when kart Mane ws satisfied he was talking to the hi-jacke., a good instalment in the same amount, upon completion .
The initial payment of fiftoon thousand dollars to be paid when kart Mane ws satisfied he was talking to the hi-jacke., a good instalment in the same amount, upon completion ..: s. . interviews, and a final payment upon publication cr the story.
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On or about February 20, 1972 Karl Fleming traveled from Los Angeles County, California to King County, Washington with _thirty thousand dolls .; in cash consisting of an unknown number of bille in twenty, fifty, and one hundred dollar denominations. He stayed at the Edgewater Inn, in Seattle, Washingt. : through February 23, 1972 and interviewed .
He stayed at the Edgewater Inn, in Seattle, Washingt. : through February 23, 1972 and interviewed .D. E. Cooper on February 22 and 23.
Karl Fleming was furnished the xerox d copy of the three twenty dollar bills, allegedly part of the ransom paid to "D.B. Cooper" (Exhibit "A" ) and on c : about February 21, 1972, paid the thirty thousan ! dollars to Jack Lewis who signed a receipt (Ey: ) "B"). Karl Fleming related that Jas: Lewar a the name "Seth Thomas" prie: to fajn6 th: : receipt and that "D. E. Cooper" appeared wiet .. ca; Lewis' disclosure of his true name.
Karl Fleming also paid three hundred woll .. s to Jack Lewis on or about February 21, 1972 for expense ..
The complainant further states that he believes that . statements made by Karl Fleming to Special Agents ch she F. B. I. are accurate in that checks of motel, airlin . rent. car, and telephone toll records corroborate his story and photographs of William John Lewis, also known as Ja. k Lewi. and Donald Sylvester Murphy have been identified by Karl Fleming, and other persons, 'as the individuals who called themselves
and Donald Sylvester Murphy have been identified by Karl Fleming, and other persons, 'as the individuals who called themselves "Seth Thomas" and "D.B. Cooper" respectivei"
CHARLES E: FARRELL Special Agent ?. Federal Bureau, ef ini . ..
Sworn to before me, and subscribed in my ; : esener 29 30 , 1972. 31
United States Magistrate
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F manaus, serialgating, Both in the 6 Wow and Farve
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hijacked s Fortmest Aliance plane on Thanksgiving Up 1972 . This" KARL FLEMING do Merely on Feb. 20, 1972, tonny to Seth Thomas who purports to Be agent Forthis. D.B. Cooper, $30,000 to Be hele in TRUST FOR VER ios a legal Defense FUND Foi. Come when of if The is apeuhandled on Surrenders, ; AND wich the understanding That the many is to be used For The Purpose aline, Saw The. 21 Fel 1911 FX: 47, Exactly, Wasthepone 86121
EDGEWATER INN PE No-10: Oot: 21:1972
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D.B. CooperLA
October 21, 1972
20
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THE TALE OF
By Karl Fleming
D.B. COOPER AROSE AT 6 A.M. THAT day, leaving his wife of 25 years asleep in their ranch-style suburban Seattle home, dressed hurriedly in a dark busi- ness suit, and packed his briefcase with the tools he would need to carry him through this, the
THAT day, leaving his wife of 25 years asleep in their ranch-style suburban Seattle home, dressed hurriedly in a dark busi- ness suit, and packed his briefcase with the tools he would need to carry him through this, the most important day of His life.
Cooper, age 49, a balding unprepos- sessing out-of-work Boeing engineer, had never been arrested for anything more serious than a traffic violation.
This day, Thanksgiving Eve of last year, he would hijack a Northwest Air- lines Boeing 727 between Portland and Seattle, would successfully bail out with $200,000 of the airline's money, and then would vanish as if evaporated. He still Making Plans hasn't been discovered by the law. .As he drove, he listened idly to the radio. and methodically reviewed his plan - the landing site, the weather, the Cooper planned the hijacking for more than a year. Every detail had been care- fnHy researched. Every step had been ( timing, the getaway route, all the minute painstakingly rehearsed. Every possible - details. he had brooded over with slide- rule precision for months. He originally
Foul-up had been /, anticipated -even marked .
he had brooded over with slide- rule precision for months. He originally
Foul-up had been /, anticipated -even marked .money and bad weather. Every-> had wanted to" bring in a confederate.+ That would make the inh easier aspe
station bination had tion nationale
A LONER, D.B. COOPER TELLS HOW
HE STOLE PLANE AND GOT AWAY
the hijack note. Under his suit, he wore a heavy sweatshirt. It would be cold that night .when he jumped. On his feet he " wore high-topped Western style boots. They could pass as dress shoes, and at the same time could protect his ankles when he hit the ground after parachuting from the plane.
'in flight so that a jump could be accom- plished without ripping a chute to pieces. Also, this particular daily commuter flight was chosen because of the route it followed. Cooper chose it after patient ly studying dozens of aerial maps, The route, over rural terrain where the land was hilly, but not too rough, was close enough to a freeway to make a getaway possible. It was sufficiently removed from water and high tension lines, which a parachutist always fears and was re- mote enough so, he
It was sufficiently removed from water and high tension lines, which a parachutist always fears and was re- mote enough so, he could land. without detection.
or windy enough to make the jump overly hazardous.
The day he chose was perfect: rainy, overcast and gusty-which would dis- courage light planes and helicopters from following. And he had chosen this day for another reason. It was a holiday. He had wanted July 4, but hadn't been able to get his plan perfected in time. He wanted a holiday because people in airports would be in a festive mood. there would be huge crowds and a lot of confusion.
The Triangle Cooper turned off Interstate 5 at Wood- land at about 9:45 a.m., drove along the macadam rural road to Main Street in La Center and parked his car in the gravel lot beside the post office.
He applied his make up -stuff to alter his facial coloring, and white paste to obscurethis gold copped teeth, then he drove into the adjacent countryside to
The spot Cooper ,selected was just east of the tiny farming village of La Center, less than five miles from Inter
set : his radios transmitters >iniplace.
to alter his facial coloring, and white paste to obscurethis gold copped teeth, then he drove into the adjacent countryside to
The spot Cooper ,selected was just east of the tiny farming village of La Center, less than five miles from Inter
set : his radios transmitters >iniplace.
There were three of theme pocker ased;
5200 cod ofitho/ ir inei money And then
would vanish ric evaporated He still hasn't been discovered by the law, "Cooper planned the hijacking for more than a year. Every detail had been, care
fully researched. Every step had been
timing the getaway route, all the minute
painstakingly rehearsed .. Every possible
foul-up had been wanticipated-even marked money and bad weather.Every
previous chijacking. had been patiently studied: They had all failed; at least bynD. B. Cooper's standards.The per- petratorsallt had been caught, killed or
cet down empty handed in some distant place liko Cuba
Cooper,wasno political;fanatic .. Nor was he a nut. H.iwas an ordinary,' God: fearing, patriotic, country club-oriented; upward-climbing WASP engineer, (sala. ry: about $25,000 a year) who was moti- vated by two things: anger, and money. He had no desire to be either hero or martyt.
ry: about $25,000 a year) who was moti- vated by two things: anger, and money. He had no desire to be either hero or martyt." He simply; wanted to get . the money, and get away
As he; tooled down; Interstate 5 that rainy morning. he,carefully. reviewed what : ho had stashed in the briefcase to pull the job om two cheap hairpieces (cost: $35); an altimeter .a.compass, a stop.watch, a walkie-talkie,"three small radio transmitters, black gloves, dark wrap-around sunglasses, a. make up; kit, a foul weather jacket, a black cap. And a replica of a bomb-three red : flares of the type police uso to mark: auto accidenta,- wired cleverly .together. and attached to what appeared to be a deto- nating devico
In the right-hand inside.pocket of his dark business suit jacket, ; he carried
Kan Fleming was dasociated with Newsweek magazine'as; correspondent, Los . Angeles bureau chief and contributing editor for JI years before resigning April 15 to found LA While with Newsweek, he covered virtually every significant civil rights, story of the turbulent ;'60s, including Birming- ham, Selma, Qle Minh:Little,; Rock and Watts .
chief and contributing editor for JI years before resigning April 15 to found LA While with Newsweek, he covered virtually every significant civil rights, story of the turbulent ;'60s, including Birming- ham, Selma, Qle Minh:Little,; Rock and Watts . He covered the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert and those of. Martin Luther King and Medgar. Every He rode assigned to Richard Nico during the Flint President
Mums
Atthe drovesteulistened idly to radigs ande methodically! reviewed isbis plan the landing hite"the weather, "the
mough possibly moved which
from water and'high Iparachutiste way forextravertie motei enough :so he could fiand without detection.]
The pot Cooper
east of the tiny farming yu Center less than five miles from Later state 5;and about 30 miles north of Port
land" There was water round lake Merwin) but Cooper felt.he could Jump and. avoid it, even attnigh
were : high tension >lines but Cooper ght and
believed he could
teer away from them
`Theweather was ed a cloudy; overci
night," He reasoned that, other planer would be dispatched to follow the hi jacked craft (C-130s were in fact uged), so he wanted cloud conditions and rain.
it, even attnigh
were : high tension >lines but Cooper ght and
believed he could
teer away from them
`Theweather was ed a cloudy; overci
night," He reasoned that, other planer would be dispatched to follow the hi jacked craft (C-130s were in fact uged), so he wanted cloud conditions and rain. anything that would produce visibility
and make spotting him dimcult if-not impossible when he ballod, but He couldn't afford to have it known exactly
where he was jumping. Hence be needed Inclement weather, but not rainy enough
5
Fleming clandestinely interviewed D.B. Cooper outside Seattle
mandam rural roadto write vi center andipark arbit stavel lot Beside the nosbody
Ppitid bit make up
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set this *radio trasami
There were three of the
battery powered deros
talked affriend into
(This) friend of mine.this
time prior to that secution ofith were talkingifdisco" and, transmitters & and the make one op for. I don't mow . Hior
about howHe would'
nico ybed have rada ora what would be nic
les fellow, had which ? transmitter b cause if he were going to Aching or
somewheret and : ber should happen get Locked in by for on touching } couldi use sthes transmitternärhon Icht'in.
transmitter b cause if he were going to Aching or
somewheret and : ber should happen get Locked in by for on touching } couldi use sthes transmitternärhon Icht'in."Soft-said -sometimes if you,at thinking about it how about making m up a couple of these? So he did " Coopd
The tiny radio transmitter cach ha
'smallantenna, tand ;each femitted: "beep" signal which could be picked by: at walkie-talkie tuned to theiprop frequency : The transmitter sworeser cial to his plan, Cooper drove out and placedropo: transmitters in y wood -patch no rural church :- he gets nothers one "ditch beside the zondy be left the thir in the trunk of the scorethe plac ment of the three transmitters formed loose triangle so that'swhen he receive the signal from all three of them on'h walkie talkie i be i would knor precise.
between the clouds would be able. the highway and theelichtetdon "there's but ti wanted to have that bee beep signal to come I'nithing wer wrong" Cooper said
Little Satire
Cooper had made practico runs on th Portland Seattles fight forhalf-doze time : (checking the terrains chockir they compass : route familiarizingwhit elf with landmarks andifon the
Little Satire
Cooper had made practico runs on th Portland Seattles fight forhalf-doze time : (checking the terrains chockir they compass : route familiarizingwhit elf with landmarks andifon the fini
È
Cooper.was tefine; but confident Since he had worked at, Boeing for, 15 years, be know the Boeing more intimately than he knew. his motorboat .. He had chosen
this, particular, flight . in: part for that reason: 727s were used exclusively on the' Seattle-Portland run, and, the 727 was"the only airplane in commercial use that opened In the rear, making a parachute jump feasible .; And further, the . 727 could be" slowed down enough
detalla he hadibrooded over with slide rule precision for months, He originally had wanted to bring in a. confederate: That? would'make the ob, easier,.espe-
cially if he could get an accomplice who could fly a helicopter and scoop him up when he touched down and rush him to safe obscurity, But he finally discarded
that'idea. Too risky A partner might talk.
And besides-when the chips were down could he really count on somebody elsesover a fost -viewer
whats hothar stashedcin the briefcase to palinthe job offer wo cheap hairplece
coste sommaraltimeter
And besides-when the chips were down could he really count on somebody elsesover a fost -viewer
whats hothar stashedcin the briefcase to palinthe job offer wo cheap hairplece
coste sommaraltimeter a compass a
stop watch a walkie-talkie, three-small) radio transmitters, black: gloves, dark
wrap around sunglasses -a make up kit a foul weather jacket, a. black cap. And a replica of a bomb- three red flares of the type police use to mark; auto accidents wired cleverly, together, and attached to what appeared to be a deto nating device. In the right-hand inside pocket of his dark, business suit jacket,; he carried
Karl Fleming was associated with Newsweek! magazine as. correspondent, Los Angeles bureau chief and contributing editor for. 11 years before resigning April 15 to found'? LA. While with: Newsweek; he covered virtually every significant civil rights story. of the turbulent '60s. including. Birming: ham, Selma, Ole, Miss. , Little" Rock andi Watts. He covered: the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert and those of Martin Luther King und Medgar. Evers.
He covered: the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert and those of Martin Luther King und Medgar. Evers. He was assigned to R. Chard Nixon during the last l'residen- tial campaign and has covered Lyndon Johnson, George Wallace. Hubert Hum- phrey, Barry Goldwater and Ronald Rea- . gar He also reported on the Charles Man- so id Jack Ruby trials for Newsweek and the trial of Pueblo spy ship captain Lloyd M. Bucher. Early this year, Fleming hade contact with a man who claimed to be D. B. Cooper, the only person ever to skyjack an airliner and get away with his identity unknown. In this and the next two installments, Fleming tells what hap. pened.
Copyright º 1972 Platypus Publications
was the only airplane io commercial userthat opened in the reardmaking
parachute jump feasible. And: fu
the: 727 could be slowed down enou inclement weather, but not rainy enough
Fleming.clandestinely interviewed D. B. Cooper outside Seattle,
and make upon him durcal. foto.
Impossible when cher balled out He
couldn't afford to have it known exactly
where he was jumping.
foto.
Impossible when cher balled out He
couldn't afford to have it known exactly
where he was jumping. Hence he needed
could usesthe. frapomiite sabor hori Fight Sousade sometimes you ar thinking about It how about making m up a couple of these? So he did,"Cooper said The tiny radio transmitters each had; Msmall antenna and each emitted a 'beep" signal which could be picked up by a walkie-talkie tuned to the proper frequency, The transmitters were cru cial to his plansy wie > rers oble Cooper drove out and placed one of the transmitters in a'weed patch near a rural church; he set another one in a ditch beside the road; he left the third "one in the trunk of the car. The places ment of the three transmitters formed a loose triangle, so that when he received the signal from all three of them on his walkie-talkie, he would know precisely! where he was. "I figured I would be able in between the clouds, would be able to see the highway and the lights down there, but I wanted to have that beep, beep!
"I figured I would be able in between the clouds, would be able to see the highway and the lights down there, but I wanted to have that beep, beep!" signal in case anything went wrong," Cooper said:
A Little Satire
Cooper had made practice, runs on the Portland-Seattle flight . a half-dozen? times, checking the terrain, checking the: compass route, familiarizing him- self with landmarks and on the final checkride he had placed his small trans- mitters and had taken his walkie-talkie on board with him. Approaching the. planned jump spot; he concealed the walkie-talkie in a pillow and held the pillow up to his ear. Sure enough, when he was over the right place-and could see where he was-the signals began to come in, demonstrating the system would work.
After setting them out on the day of the hijacking, Cooper returned to the post office lot, parked the car, walked
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ILA October 21, 1972
22
COOPER BAILED OUT AND
USAF6
along the road to Woodland, went into a restaurant and had a
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ILA October 21, 1972
22
COOPER BAILED OUT AND
USAF6
along the road to Woodland, went into a restaurant and had a ham and cheese sandwich and a piece of apple pie, while he waited for the Greyhound bus. He had already purchased a ticket, to Port- land, for 90 cents, and had a plane ticket from Portland: to Seattle as well.
On the practice flights, he had used several aliases, including Montgomery and Wright. For the big. trip, he chose the name D.B. Cooper.
It was a little satire, he said. He had worked at Boeing where noise was al- ways a problem. So he chose the word decibels, and took the letter "D"; from it. And what, he said; would make more noise thank god ofd albal int barely
of the plane. Had there been air mar- shals on board, which was happening on some flights, he planned just to sit tight and take a normal flight to Seattle. No marshals were on board, however, so Cooper took a seat in the extreme left rear of the plane and just waited.
"I was still safe. I still had the note. I still had the option just to take a ride.
No marshals were on board, however, so Cooper took a seat in the extreme left rear of the plane and just waited.
"I was still safe. I still had the note. I still had the option just to take a ride. But I knew this was the beginning. Right here. All the work that had gone on be- fore, that was just an accessory. Because nobody knew what I was doing. And I wasn't doing wrong to anybody.
"Odd as it may seem, I had prepared for this; so long that -when its actually!
might not open. But other than me, po- body was - endangered. at any time, Cooper said.
The crucial flight was about six min- utes late leaving. When it was about 10 minutes out of Portland, the stewardess, taking orders for drinks, had worked ber way back to Cooper's seat. When she asked him what he' wanted to drink, Cooper reached inside his jacket and handed her the note. It was typewritten, on plain white paper, and the message was plain: "I have a bomb in this brief- case. I am hijacking this plane.
The stewardess's eyes widened"Sur; prised?" Cooper said Just Collo
she was from Minnesota so we talked briefly;y bout ' Minnesota, and how did the like flying, and this sortof; thing.
" Cooper said Just Collo
she was from Minnesota so we talked briefly;y bout ' Minnesota, and how did the like flying, and this sortof; thing. But'actually, the atmosphere wasn't too conducive to idle conversation. Because I was very keen. I had to be very. alelt. I didn't want to get lost in conversation."
The captain informed the passengers there was a minor mechanical problem. While' the FBI. was rounding. 'up"the money and parachutes, .... Cooper .- sent word that when, the plane landed he wanted it parked away from the terminal, in a well-lighted area so he could see out the, windows, and protect "himself possible ambushWhen that iwantalong the road to Woodland, went into restaurant and had a ham and cheese andwich and a piece of apple pie, while he waited for the Greyhound bus. He had already purchased a ticket, to Port- land, for: 90 cents, and, had a plane ticket from Portland to Seattle as well.
On the practice flights; he had used !? several aliases, including Montgomery and Wright For the big trip, he chose the name D.
On the practice flights; he had used !? several aliases, including Montgomery and Wright For the big trip, he chose the name D.B. Cooper.
It was a little satire, he said, He had worked at Boeing where noise was al- ways a problem. So he chose the word decibels, and took the letter "D". from it. And what, he said, would make more noise than a lot of decibels in a barrel? Thus "B." And who makes barrels? A "cooper". Thus, D.B. Cooper, just the kind of name a methodical-minded en- gineer would choose.
When the, bus reached Portland, at about 1:45 p.m., Cooper caught a taxi to the airport, arriving at about 2:15. The flight was scheduled to leave at 2:40 p.m. Cooper strolled around the terminal to kill time, then walked directly to the gate, carrying his briefcase. He watched as the check-in line formed, apprehen- sive for fear federal agents would be at the gate searching hand luggage. There were no such agents present, so Cooper tagged along at the end of the line, so he could get a seat at the back
of the plane, Had there been air mar- shals on; board, which was happening on some flights, he planned just to
There were no such agents present, so Cooper tagged along at the end of the line, so he could get a seat at the back
of the plane, Had there been air mar- shals on; board, which was happening on some flights, he planned just to sit tight and take a normal flight to Seattle, No marshals were on board, however, so Cooper took a seat in the extreme left rear of the plane and just waited. "I was still safe. I still had the note. I still had the option just to take a ride, But I knew this, was the beginning. Right here, All the work that had gone on be- fore, that was just an accessory. Because. nobody knew what I was doing. And I. wasn't doing wrong to anybody.
:"Odd as it may seem, I had prepared for this so long that when it actually took place, it was just like having a dress rehearsal," Cooper said:
The Crucial Flight
Cooper avoided any weapons- he said he dislikes guns-and the way his plan. was to go the only person who would even see his "bomb" would be the stew- ardess. And she would be "scared to death, and wouldn't know a real bomb from anything at all. I could have made it out of paper and she wouldn't have known any difference.
And she would be "scared to death, and wouldn't know a real bomb from anything at all. I could have made it out of paper and she wouldn't have known any difference."
."So, what was the worst that could hap- pen? They could apprehend me. Or, if I got as far as putting the plan into mo- tion, and left the plane with a chute I wasn't familiar with, then the chute
might not open. But other than me, no body was endangered at any time," Cooper said.
The crucial flight was about six min; utes late leaving. When it was about 10 minutes out of Portland, the stewardess, taking orders for drinks, had worked her way back to Cooper's seat. When she asked him what he wanted to drink, Cooper reached inside his jacket: and handed her the note. It was typewritten; on plain white paper, and the message was plain: "I have a bomb in this brief- case. I am hijacking this plane.
The stewardess's eyes widened. "Sur- prised?" Cooper said. "Just follow my instructions. Exactly! And everything will be fine and no one will be any wiser. Just report this to your captain."
That was the, substance, if not the verbatim words, of the conversation.
Just report this to your captain."
That was the, substance, if not the verbatim words, of the conversation. For the next two and a half hours, Cooper and the stewardess were seatmates. He' kept her beside him and used her as a courier to take instructions to the cap. tain. When the plane reached Seattle and began circling, Cooper instructed her to go forward and tell the captain "to advise Seatac (Seattle-Tacoma Air: port) and Northwest to procure $200,000 in $20 bills and four parachutes, and have them at the plane."
While the plane circled, Cooper and the stewardess chatted. "She told me
she was from Minnesota, so we talked briefly about ! Minnesota and how did she like flying and this sort of thing; But actually, the atmosphere wasn't too conducive to idle conversation. Because I was very keen. I had to be very alert! I didn't want to get lost in conversation." The captain informed the passengers there was a minor mechanical problem. While the FBI was rounding up the money,, and parachutes, .
" The captain informed the passengers there was a minor mechanical problem. While the FBI was rounding up the money,, and parachutes, . Cooper , sent word that when the plane landed he wanted it parked away from the terminal, in a well-lighted area so he could see out the windows and protect; himself from possible; ambush. When that was done, and the money and parachutes were delivered to the plane by courier, a bus came out; and everyone deplaned except one stewardess. She was vital to Cooper's plan' and was involved in his ordering of four parachutes.
The Order for Two
No one had pulled this kind of sky. jacking before, so Cooper had had some careful planning to do. "The one thing I had to watch very carefully, was, the chutes. I decided to order two complete sets. Why? Because if they thought I was going out of that plane alone, I wouldn't have given you a plugged nickel for my chances. Because they wouldn't care if I dropped out and went straight
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