DB Cooper
The 1971 hijacking of a Northwest Orient flight by a man calling himself D.B. Cooper, who parachuted from the plane with $200,000 and was never found.
Documented record
Known Facts
On November 24, 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper hijacked Northwest Orient Flight 305.
He demanded $200,000 in ransom money and four parachutes.
After releasing the passengers, he parachuted from the plane over Washington state.
The FBI launched the longest and most expensive manhunt in its history.
Only $5,880 of the ransom money was ever recovered, found along the Columbia River in 1980.
The case remains the only unsolved commercial airline hijacking in U.S. history.
Supporting claims & documentation
Evidence For
FBI Investigation Files
PRIMARY SOURCEExtensive FBI documentation of the hijacking and investigation.
SOURCE:FBI
Recovered Ransom Money
PHYSICAL$5,880 of the original $200,000 found along the Columbia River in 1980.
SOURCE:FBI / Brian Ingram
Counterpoints & criticisms
Evidence Against
Death in Jump Theory
ANALYSISMany experts believe Cooper likely died during the parachute jump.
SOURCE:FBI / Parachute experts
Unresolved inquiries
Open Questions
Did Cooper survive the jump?
What was his true identity?
Where is the remaining $194,120?
Was Cooper connected to any intelligence agency?
Chronological record
Timeline
DB Cooper hijacks Flight 305 and parachutes.
FBI begins investigation.
Ransom money found along Columbia River.
FBI officially closes active investigation.
Connected dossiers
Related Investigations
References & further reading
Sources
Automatically discovered links
Related Connections
2 organizations appear in both.
2 organizations appear in both.
2 organizations appear in both.