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DB COOPER CASE FILE

FILE NO: NORJAK-1971

> SUBJECT PROFILE

On November 24, 1971, an unidentified man hijacked a Boeing 727 aircraft between Portland and Seattle. He extorted $200,000 in ransom and parachuted from the plane. Despite an extensive manhunt and FBI investigation, the true identity of DB Cooper remains unknown.

DB Cooper Sketch
FBI Sketch of DB Cooper
Boeing 727
Northwest Orient Airlines Boeing 727
Ransom Money
Recovered Ransom Money - 1980

> EVENT TIMELINE

14:45 PST - Subject boards Flight 305 under the alias "Dan Cooper"
15:07 PST - Hands note to flight attendant Florence Schaffner
17:39 PST - Aircraft lands in Seattle, ransom and parachutes delivered
19:40 PST - Cooper parachutes from aircraft with ransom money
February 10, 1980 - $5,800 of ransom money found on Columbia River bank

> PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

  • > Height: 5'10" - 6'0"
  • > Weight: 170-180 lbs
  • > Age: Mid-40s
  • > Eyes: Brown
  • > Complexion: Olive
  • > Attire: Business suit, white shirt, black tie

> UNRESOLVED QUESTIONS

  • > True identity of DB Cooper
  • > Survival status after jump
  • > Location of remaining ransom money
  • > Military/parachuting background
  • > Connection to aviation industry

> CASE STATUS

The FBI officially suspended active investigation of the case in July 2016. The case remains the only unsolved air piracy in American aviation history.