DB Cooper: The Man Who Vanished with $200,000 and a Parachute

On November 24, 1971, a man calling himself "Dan Cooper" (later misreported as "DB Cooper") hijacked a Northwest Orient Airlines flight and demanded $200,000 and four parachutes. After the demands were met, Cooper released the passengers and instructed the crew to fly him to Mexico. Over Washington's wooded terrain, he jumped out of the plane with a parachute and the money, never to be seen again. Despite an extensive investigation and manhunt, "DB Cooper" has never been identified, and the case has become one of the most enduring mysteries in American history. In this article, we will delve into the details of the hijacking and explore the various theories surrounding the identity and fate of the man who vanished with $200,000 and a parachute.

Who Is DB Cooper?

DB Cooper is the pseudonym given to the individual who famously hijacked Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 in 1971. The name "DB Cooper" was derived from the boarding pass used by the suspect, which read "Dan Cooper."

The Hijacking: November 24, 1971

On November 24, 1971, a calm and collected man, later identified as DB Cooper, boarded Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 from Portland to Seattle. Shortly after takeoff, Cooper handed a note to a flight attendant that revealed he had a bomb in his briefcase and demanded $200,000 in cash and four parachutes.

The Name: The Birth of DB Cooper

The name "DB Cooper" was given to the hijacker by the media. Cooper used the name "Dan Cooper" when purchasing his ticket, but due to a miscommunication with a reporter, the name "DB Cooper" was mistakenly reported and stuck.

The Man: Physical Description and Demands

DB Cooper was described as a middle-aged white male, approximately 6 feet tall and weighing between 170 and 180 pounds. He wore a black suit, a white shirt, and a black tie. Cooper's demands included $200,000 in cash, four parachutes, and a fuel truck standing by in Seattle to refuel the plane upon arrival.

The Infamous Hijacking Incident

The Flight: Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305:

Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 was a scheduled flight from Portland to Seattle with 36 passengers and a crew of six on board. The hijacking took place shortly after takeoff.

The Hijacking: A Calm and Collected Attitude:

DB Cooper remained calm and collected throughout the hijacking. He communicated his demands to the flight crew and instructed them to remain in the cockpit with the door closed. Cooper smoked several cigarettes during the flight and even ordered a bourbon and soda.

The Demands: $200,000 and Parachutes

Cooper demanded $200,000 in cash, four parachutes, and a fuel truck to be standing by in Seattle for refueling. The cash and parachutes were delivered to the plane in Seattle, and Cooper released all passengers and two of the flight attendants in exchange for the fuel truck and a third parachute.

The Mysterious Vanishing Act

The Jump: Over Washington's Wooded Terrain:

DB Cooper jumped out of the plane with the ransom money and the remaining three parachutes over the wooded terrain of Southwest Washington. The plane landed safely in Reno, and there was no trace of Cooper.

The Search: No Trace of DB Cooper

Despite an extensive search effort, no trace of DB Cooper was ever found. The FBI conducted a massive manhunt and investigation that spanned years but ultimately proved unsuccessful.

The Hunt for DB Cooper

The Investigation: Following Leads and Suspects:

The FBI pursued numerous leads and suspects throughout the years, but none led to a definitive identification of DB Cooper. Over the years, several individuals have come forward claiming to be DB Cooper, but none have been confirmed.

The Search: Ground and Air Operations:

Ground and air operations were conducted in the area where Cooper jumped from the plane. The search was one of the most extensive and expensive in FBI history, but no conclusive evidence was found.

The Evidence: The Cooper Vane and Other Clues:

The only physical evidence found in relation to the hijacking was a portion of the plane's aft staircase and a small piece of plastic from Cooper's parachute. In 1980, a young boy uncovered a rotting package of $20 bills along the banks of the Columbia River, which is believed to be part of the ransom money. In recent years, new clues have emerged, including the Cooper vane, a piece of metal that was found on the hijacked plane that may provide new leads in the investigation.

The Suspects and Theories

In 1971, a man named DB Cooper boarded a Northwest Orient Airlines flight from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington. Armed with a bomb and demanding $200,000 in cash, Cooper eventually jumped out of the plane with a parachute and vanished into thin air. The case remains one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in American history, with a number of suspects and theories circulating throughout the years.

One of the most well-known suspects is Arthur Leigh Allen, who was investigated for the Zodiac Killer murders in California. While there is no concrete evidence linking him to the DB Cooper case, some believe that his history of extortion and airplane hijackings makes him a possible suspect.

Other suspects include a man named Richard McCoy, who was a Vietnam veteran and experienced skydiver, and a former military paratrooper named Robert Rackstraw. Despite the numerous leads and suspects over the years, the case remains a mystery to this day.

The Legacy of DB Cooper

Despite the fact that the case remains unsolved, DB Cooper has become a part of American folklore. His daring escape and the fact that he managed to vanish without a trace have captured the public's imagination, inspiring countless stories, songs, and legends.

The FBI's investigation into the case is also one for the books. It is the organization's longest-running investigation, spanning over five decades and involving thousands of tips and leads.

Could DB Cooper Still Be Alive?

Despite the fact that the jump took place over 50 years ago, many people believe that DB Cooper might still be alive. This theory is fueled by the fact that no body or concrete evidence has ever been found, and that Cooper seemed to have a good understanding of planes and parachutes.

Some theorists also point to strange occurrences in the years following the hijacking, including a man named Robert Wesley Rackstraw who was investigated by the FBI in 1978 as a possible suspect.

Theories and Evidence Supporting Survival

There are a number of theories and pieces of evidence that support the idea that DB Cooper survived his daring escape. For example, in 1980 a young boy found a stack of $20 bills that belonged to the ransom money near the Columbia River. Additionally, a parachute was found in 2017 near the area where Cooper is believed to have landed.

Some people believe that Cooper was an experienced skydiver who knew how to safely land without injury, while others think that he may have had help from accomplices on the ground. Whatever the case may be, the search for DB Cooper continues to captivate and intrigue people around the world.

The DB Cooper case remains unsolved, and the mystery of the man who vanished with $200,000 and a parachute continues to fascinate and intrigue people to this day. As technology advances and new evidence is uncovered, there may be more clues that come to light in the future. Until then, the legend of DB Cooper lives on as one of the most captivating and enduring mysteries in American history.