D.B. Cooper Hijacking
A man hijacked a plane, collected $200,000 ransom, and parachuted into the night over the Pacific Northwest. He was never found. The only unsolved hijacking in U.S. history. Who was D.B. Cooper?
The D.B. Cooper case is the only unsolved airplane hijacking in U.S. history. A man calling himself Dan Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient flight, collected a ransom, and parachuted into the wilderness—never to be seen again.
The Hijacking
According to documented records:
On November 24, 1971:
- A man bought a ticket under the name “Dan Cooper”
- He boarded Northwest Orient Flight 305 in Portland
- He passed a note to a flight attendant
- He claimed to have a bomb in his briefcase
- He demanded $200,000 and four parachutes
The Ransom
The airline complied:
- The plane landed in Seattle
- Cooper released the passengers
- He received $200,000 in $20 bills
- He got four parachutes
- The plane took off with a skeleton crew
The Jump
Cooper then:
- Ordered the plane to fly to Mexico City
- At approximately 8:00 PM, he lowered the rear stairs
- He jumped into the night over the Pacific Northwest
- Rain, darkness, and rough terrain greeted him
- He was never seen again
The Investigation
The FBI conducted an extensive search:
- The drop zone was heavily forested
- Winter weather hindered searches
- No trace of Cooper was found
- The case remained open for 45 years
The Evidence
1980: A boy found $5,800 of the ransom money on a Columbia River beach.
The bills: Were deteriorated and had been there for years.
Nothing else: No parachute, body, or remaining money was ever found.
Suspects
Over the decades, many were suspected:
- Richard Floyd McCoy (similar hijacking later)
- Robert Rackstraw (military background)
- William Smith (deathbed confession)
- None have been conclusively identified as Cooper
Theories
Survived: Cooper landed safely and lived quietly with the money.
Died: The jump in those conditions was likely fatal.
Professional: Military or skydiving background suggested.
Amateur: Some details suggest he wasn’t an expert.
Why It Captivated America
Cooper became a folk hero because:
- He was polite to the crew
- He didn’t hurt anyone
- He beat the system
- He was never caught
- The mystery persists
The FBI Case
The FBI:
- Closed the active investigation in 2016
- Still accepts tips
- The case is officially unsolved
- All suspects are deceased or cleared
Legacy
D.B. Cooper:
- Inspired “copycat” hijackings
- Led to airline security changes
- Became an American legend
- Inspired films, books, and documentaries