The Dan Cooper Hijacking: America’s Greatest Unsolved Mystery
A Quiet Man, A Bold Crime
On the afternoon of November 24, 1971, a man identifying himself as Dan Cooper purchased a one-way ticket with cash for Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305, departing from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington. Dressed in a business suit with a black tie and white shirt, Cooper appeared to be in his 40s and carried a briefcase.
As the plane waited to take off, Cooper ordered a bourbon and soda. Shortly after 3:00 PM, he handed a note to a flight attendant claiming he had a bomb and requested her to sit beside him. He then dictated a message demanding $200,000 in twenty-dollar bills and four parachutes.
The Hijacking and Escape
Upon landing in Seattle, Cooper exchanged the 36 passengers for the ransom and parachutes, keeping several crew members onboard. The plane took off again, heading toward Mexico City. Somewhere between Seattle and Reno, shortly after 8:00 PM, Cooper opened the rear stairway and jumped into the night with the money and a parachute.
The pilots landed safely, but Cooper had vanished. His fate remains unknown, making this one of the most enduring mysteries in FBI history.
The FBI Investigation: Operation NORJAK
The FBI launched an extensive investigation, codenamed NORJAK (Northwest Hijacking). Agents interviewed hundreds of people, followed leads across the country, and examined the aircraft for clues. Within five years, over 800 suspects were considered, but only two dozen remained viable.
One prominent suspect, Richard Floyd McCoy, was arrested for a similar hijacking just months later. However, he was ruled out due to physical discrepancies and conflicting witness accounts.
Did Cooper Survive?
Many believe Cooper may not have survived the jump. The parachute was non-steerable, his clothing was unsuitable for a rough landing, and he leapt into a forested area at night. In 1980, a boy discovered $5,800 in decaying twenty-dollar bills matching the ransom’s serial numbers, adding weight to the theory that Cooper perished.
The "DB Cooper" Myth
The name "DB Cooper" originated from a media error. The FBI had questioned a man with those initials, but he was not the hijacker. The misnomer stuck and became part of pop culture lore.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
The Dan Cooper hijacking remains a captivating mystery for law enforcement and amateur sleuths alike. It has inspired books, documentaries, and countless theories. Despite decades of investigation, the true identity and fate of Dan Cooper remain unknown.
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Conclusion
The story of Dan Cooper is more than a daring crime — it’s a symbol of mystery, intrigue, and the limits of law enforcement. Whether he survived or not, Cooper’s legacy continues to fascinate and puzzle the world.