Introduction

The case of D.B. Cooper is one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries in American criminal history. On November 24, 1971, a man using the alias "Dan Cooper" hijacked a Northwest Orient Airlines flight between Portland and Seattle. He extorted $200,000 in ransom, parachuted out of the plane, and disappeared without a trace. Despite decades of investigation, the FBI never conclusively identified or captured Cooper, leaving his case a blend of fact, legend, and wild speculation.

Background of the Criminal

Very little is known about D.B. Cooper's real identity. On the day of the crime, he boarded Northwest Orient Flight 305 under the name "Dan Cooper" (later misreported by the media as "D.B. Cooper"). Described as a calm and composed man in his mid-40s, Cooper wore a dark suit, white shirt, and a black tie, giving the appearance of a professional businessman. He spoke politely to the flight attendants and was unremarkable in his behavior before announcing the hijacking. The FBI speculated that Cooper had military or skydiving experience, given the methodical way in which he executed the hijacking and his use of a parachute to escape.

Despite countless theories, Cooper's true identity remains a mystery. No definitive background information has ever been uncovered about who he was, his motivations, or his post-crime life.

Background of the Victims

The passengers and crew aboard Northwest Orient Flight 305 were the immediate victims of the hijacking. However, Cooper was notably calm and non-violent toward them. The plane carried 36 passengers and a flight crew of six, including pilot William Scott, co-pilot Rataczak, flight engineer H.E. Anderson, and flight attendant Florence Schaffner, who was the first to interact with Cooper.

Cooper reassured the crew and passengers that he wasn't going to harm them. After the ransom was paid and the parachutes were delivered, Cooper released all the passengers in Seattle, keeping only the crew as he continued his flight plan. Thankfully, none of the passengers were physically harmed during the ordeal, but the psychological impact of being hijacked undoubtedly left its mark on everyone involved.

The Crime

On the afternoon of November 24, 1971, D.B. Cooper boarded Flight 305 from Portland to Seattle. Shortly after takeoff, he handed a note to flight attendant Florence Schaffner. Initially thinking it was a flirtatious message, she pocketed the note. However, Cooper leaned in and told her to read it, whispering that he had a bomb in his briefcase. The note indicated that Cooper demanded $200,000 in cash, four parachutes, and a fuel truck standing by in Seattle to refuel the plane.

Upon showing Schaffner the bomb (or a device that appeared to be one), she relayed the message to the pilot, who followed Cooper's instructions. The plane circled for hours as authorities gathered the ransom money and parachutes. Once they landed in Seattle, Cooper allowed the passengers to disembark in exchange for the ransom. He then ordered the flight crew to set a course for Mexico City, with a refueling stop in Reno, Nevada. As the plane flew over the rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest, somewhere between Seattle and Reno, Cooper jumped out of the rear exit of the Boeing 727 with the ransom money and parachutes. He was never seen again.

Location of the Crime

The crime took place aboard Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305, which flew between Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington. After taking off from Seattle with the ransom money, Cooper parachuted out of the plane over a remote forested area in southwestern Washington, likely near the Lewis River in the rugged Cascade Mountain range.

The vast and heavily forested landscape where Cooper is believed to have jumped was a critical factor in his successful escape. The difficult terrain and lack of witnesses made it nearly impossible for search efforts to uncover substantial clues.

Timeline of the CrimeNovember 24, 1971 (Afternoon): D.B. Cooper boards Flight 305 from Portland to Seattle.Shortly After Takeoff: Cooper hands a note to the flight attendant, announcing the hijacking.Afternoon to Evening: The plane circles Puget Sound while FBI agents gather the ransom money and parachutes. Cooper's demands are met in Seattle.Evening: Cooper releases the passengers and orders the plane to fly toward Mexico, with a stop in Reno for refueling.8:13 PM: Cooper jumps out of the plane with a parachute and the ransom money somewhere over southwestern Washington.Aftermath: Despite extensive search efforts, Cooper is never found.Aftermath

Following Cooper's jump, an extensive manhunt and investigation were launched. The FBI conducted aerial and ground searches of the suspected landing area, but no trace of Cooper was ever found. The $200,000 in ransom money, handed to Cooper in marked bills, did not reappear in circulation, further complicating the investigation.

In 1980, a break in the case seemed possible when a boy discovered $5,800 of the ransom money buried along the banks of the Columbia River near Vancouver, Washington. However, no additional clues were uncovered, and the money's discovery only deepened the mystery, raising questions about how it ended up there.

The case, dubbed "NORJAK" (Northwest Hijacking), remained open for decades, with the FBI interviewing hundreds of suspects and following countless leads. Despite numerous theories and confessions from people claiming to be Cooper, none were ever confirmed. In 2016, after 45 years of investigation, the FBI officially closed the case, marking it as unsolved.

The Clues

The limited clues in the case include:

The black briefcase Cooper claimed held a bomb.The four parachutes he received.$200,000 in marked bills (only a small portion was ever recovered).A thin, black clip-on tie that Cooper left behind on the plane.The discovery of some of the ransom money along the Columbia River in 1980.Despite these clues, investigators were never able to conclusively determine Cooper's identity or his fate after the jump.The Arrest

There was never an arrest in the D.B. Cooper case. Over the years, the FBI investigated multiple suspects, and many people came forward either claiming to be Cooper or accusing others of being him. Several notable suspects, including Robert Rackstraw and Duane Weber, gained media attention, but the FBI could never conclusively link any of them to the crime.

The Trial and Punishment

Since D.B. Cooper was never caught, there was no trial or punishment. However, had he been apprehended, he would have faced multiple charges, including air piracy and extortion. Given the seriousness of the crime, a conviction could have resulted in a life sentence in federal prison.