D.B. Cooper's parachute found?

[Alt+F4]

Hoping to solve at least part of a 36-year-old mystery, the FBI is analyzing a torn, tangled parachute found in southwest Washington to determine if it belonged to famed plane hijacker D.B. Cooper.

It's always been my belief that D.B. Cooper never jumped from that Boeing 727 in 1971. He hid somewhere on the plane and escaped when it landed later in Reno. Since everyone assumed he jumped how well did the FBI search the plane?

Why trust jumping using a parachute provided by the FBI? Why hijack on a night with such poor weather? According to wiki:

At the time Cooper jumped, the plane was flying through a heavy rainstorm, with no light source coming from the ground due to cloud coverage. Because of the poor visibility, his descent went unnoticed by the USAF jet fighters tracking the airliner

Perhaps he used the poor weather to cover up the fact he didn't jump at all. As for the money found in 1980, he could have planted it there himself after the escape from Reno.

Folks tell me this is crazy talk! Is it?

Linky: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/03/26/cooper.chute.ap/

[Skeptic Ginger]

Since this parachute was dug up somewhere, I think it is prudent to wait for more evidence before contemplating what it means.

[The Painter]

It's always been my belief that D.B. Cooper never jumped from that Boeing 727 in 1971. He hid somewhere on the plane and escaped when it landed later in Reno. Since everyone assumed he jumped how well did the FBI search the plane?


WOW. Well that must be true because you say it is. :boggled:

[Alt+F4]

WOW. Well that must be true because you say it is. :boggled:

Not at all. Just throwing a new theory into an old mystery.

[Darth Rotor]

Not at all. Just throwing a new theory into an old mystery.
Might this fit better in the CT forum?

History?

DR

[Alt+F4]

Might this fit better in the CT forum?

History?

DR

I was thinking that too. But it's more of a mystery than a conspiracy and since the parachute in question was found just today, it is a current event that I thought others might find interesting too. Or not.

[Ranb]

Here is some interesting info from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._B._Cooper

The FBI displayed Cooper's 1971 plane ticket from Portland to Seattle, which cost $18.52. It also revealed that he requested four parachutes—two main back chutes and two reserve chest chutes. Authorities inadvertently supplied Cooper with a "dummy" reserve chute—an unusable parachute that is sewn shut for classroom demonstration. The dummy chute was not left behind on the plane, and some assume Cooper did not realize it was not functional


Less than $20 for a one way from Portland to Seattle? A hijacker jumping from an airliner with a dummy chute has to be some of the best poetic justice I have ever heard of.

Ranb

[Wavicle]

It's always been my belief that D.B. Cooper never jumped from that Boeing 727 in 1971. He hid somewhere on the plane and escaped when it landed later in Reno. Since everyone assumed he jumped how well did the FBI search the plane?

Why trust jumping using a parachute provided by the FBI? Why hijack on a night with such poor weather? According to wiki:



Perhaps he used the poor weather to cover up the fact he didn't jump at all. As for the money found in 1980, he could have planted it there himself after the escape from Reno.

Folks tell me this is crazy talk! Is it?

Linky: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/03/26/cooper.chute.ap/

WOW. Well that must be true because you say it is. :boggled:

Are you implying he might be lying about his opinion? He seemed to honestly hold these as possibilities.

[Susan Gerbic]

Maybe everyone on the plane was in on it. And no one jumped?

That's my Agatha Christie answer for the day.

Susan

[richardm]

Why trust jumping using a parachute provided by the FBI?

I always assumed that the reason he asked for more than one parachute was to imply that he would be taking a hostage out of the plane with him, and so induce the FBI to give him viable parachutes.

It does seem unlikely to me that you could hide on an airliner very effectively from even quite a careless search.

Finding whether the harness is still buried with bones attached will be interesting.

Edit: Although I suppose that if the parachute opened then the chances are he survived the drop.

[aggle-rithm]

It's always been my belief that D.B. Cooper never jumped from that Boeing 727 in 1971.

True. D.B. Cooper was never ON the plane.

The guy who hijacked the plane said his name was Dan Cooper. D.B. Cooper was someone they SUSPECTED of being the hijacker Dan Cooper, but it turned out not to be.

"Dan Cooper" was most likely a made-up name. That's exactly why you have to show your ID when you board an airliner now.

[Alt+F4]

I always assumed that the reason he asked for more than one parachute was to imply that he would be taking a hostage out of the plane with him, and so induce the FBI to give him viable parachutes.

My thought was that he asked for more than one parachute so he could inspect them all to make sure at least one would open. I never considered the idea that he might want to take a hostage, good observation, you might be right.

[Alt+F4]

Are you implying he might be lying about his opinion? He seemed to honestly hold these as possibilities.

Thanks Wavicle, but I'm a she. :D But you are right, some folks can't tell the difference between an opinon and a fact.

[Alt+F4]

Maybe everyone on the plane was in on it. And no one jumped?

That's my Agatha Christie answer for the day.

Susan

Actually, that would make a good plot point!

[Spindrift]

Is there a statute of limitations on hijacking?

I'd like to find out who Cooper really was. It's kind of like wanting to know who Deep Throat was.

[Spindrift]

Is there a statute of limitations on hijacking?

I'd like to find out who Cooper really was. It's kind of like wanting to know who Deep Throat was.

[Alt+F4]

Is there a statute of limitations on hijacking?

I'd like to find out who Cooper really was. It's kind of like wanting to know who Deep Throat was.

I'd think a seven year statute of limitations?

The fate of Amelia Earhart is another mystery I'd love to see solved.

[KoihimeNakamura]

I have to admit, I'm curious, but I also wouldn't be surprised if we only find out when a sealed letter is released when he dies...

[bigred]

Is there a statute of limitations on hijacking?

I'd like to find out who Cooper really was. It's kind of like wanting to know who Deep Throat was.Linda Lovelace. Duh.

PS if they'd found someone/bones attached, we'd know by now. No bones.

The sealed letter thing would be kinda cool.

[Susan Gerbic]

The fate of Amelia Earhart is another mystery I'd love to see solved.

I thought they were doing some serious research into this. Now that I think about it we should be getting the results by now. Its been many months ago that I remember reading about the research team going in.

What was really cool they were trying was to bring a dead pig on the island. They have flesh eating crabs that are native to the island. They thought that they would watch where the crabs drag the pig meat to. Then use that place to start searching for anything that might be Amelia related. Like a ring or bone ect...

I thought that was very clever. The island is a very hot one and not one that researchers would not care to stay on for any amount of time.

Susan

[DRBUZZ0]

I thought they were doing some serious research into this. Now that I think about it we should be getting the results by now. Its been many months ago that I remember reading about the research team going in.

What was really cool they were trying was to bring a dead pig on the island. They have flesh eating crabs that are native to the island. They thought that they would watch where the crabs drag the pig meat to. Then use that place to start searching for anything that might be Amelia related. Like a ring or bone ect...

I thought that was very clever. The island is a very hot one and not one that researchers would not care to stay on for any amount of time.

Susan


Yeah that's a topic onto itself. They have scoured Nikumororo island looking for stuff and found some but none of it is 100% verifiable. There was a small settlement and a coastguard loran-c station there at one time so it's poluted with human debris.

The most compelling evidence that made that the theory was that one of the early administrators of the first settlement there (in 1940) found a skeleton that was apparently female and some items which were consistant with Earhart. Also, that area is indicated by what may have been destress calls which were logged and later triangelated by the headings reported for the radio direction finding.

The problem is that weather there is so violent in storm season that the island is almost swept clean. The other problem is that the bones and items were sent off to Fiji circa 1940. Then the second world war hit and when it was over nobody seemed to know what happened to them. They may be burried or cremated or behind a file cabinet at the Fiji school of medicine. Searches have been done. Nothing found.

The artificats recovered have been... unimpressive... but enough to keep them going back.

[Ian Osborne]

I was thinking that too. But it's more of a mystery than a conspiracy and since the parachute in question was found just today, it is a current event that I thought others might find interesting too. Or not.

Exactly. It wouldn't qualify as a conspiracy unless the FBI was being accused of collusion or covering up evidence.

[Gravy]

It's always been my belief that D.B. Cooper never jumped from that Boeing 727 in 1971. He hid somewhere on the plane and escaped when it landed later in Reno. Since everyone assumed he jumped how well did the FBI search the plane?

...Folks tell me this is crazy talk! Is it?Not crazy, but so unlikely as to be preposterous, IMO. The 727 is not a large plane. Cooper didn't enter the cargo hold. Some of the ransom money was found by the Columbia River.

I'd think a seven year statute of limitations?There's none once an indictment is handed down (today there may be none at all...depends on the state). "John Doe" was charged with the "Cooper" skyjacking.

[Alt+F4]

Not crazy, but so unlikely as to be preposterous, IMO. The 727 is not a large plane. Cooper didn't enter the cargo hold. Some of the ransom money was found by the Columbia River.

A car isn't very large either but at least a handful of people hid in them unoticed while escaping from East Berlin. If the FBI didn't make a complete search of the entire plane it remains at least possibility he remained on the plane. Another possibility is that since the aft stairs remained open, he could have jumped on to the tarmack as the plane landed in Reno.

As for the parachute that turned up last week, it seems it isn't Cooper's after all.

The man who packed the parachutes used by skyjacker D.B. Cooper in 1971 says one found last week near Amboy, Wash., is the wrong kind.

Linky: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_or_cooper_parachute.html

In regard to the money, it was found nine years later, plenty of time for Cooper or an accomplice to plant it there. Giving up some of the money would only further convince the FBI that he was dead. Smart move for the hijacker.

[Ian Osborne]

A car isn't very large either but at least a handful of people hid in them unoticed while escaping from East Berlin. If the FBI didn't make a complete search of the entire plane it remains at least possibility he remained on the plane.

But those cars were a few among thousands going from East to West - it's not difficult to imagine bored boarder guards letting them through with only a cursory look. The plane, on the other hand, was a known crime scene. The FBI would almost certainly go through it with a fine-toothed comb, searching for clues. It's certainly a bit of a stretch to imagine them checking a plane which had been skyjacked and missing the skyjacker still aboard.

[bigred]

Oh cmon, if Frank Abagnail could do it...... :cool:

[Alt+F4]

But those cars were a few among thousands going from East to West - it's not difficult to imagine bored boarder guards letting them through with only a cursory look. The plane, on the other hand, was a known crime scene. The FBI would almost certainly go through it with a fine-toothed comb, searching for clues. It's certainly a bit of a stretch to imagine them checking a plane which had been skyjacked and missing the skyjacker still aboard.

Even one person escaping from East Berlin hidden in a car proves that hidding in a very small space, undetected, is possible.

I guess we could have a companion thread on how "the government", and particularly the FBI are less than perfect and prone to errors, just like the rest of us. I'm not saying Cooper did remain on the plane, I'm saying it's a possibility. I've read nothing regarding how well both the 727 and the Reno airport were searched after the plane landed. If someone has information regarding this, I would be interested in reading it.

[Ian Osborne]

Even one person escaping from East Berlin hidden in a car proves that hidding in a very small space, undetected, is possible.

I don't deny it's theoretically possible, but you're not taking account of the different circumstances behind the searches. Once again, the FBI were searching a known crime scene, not an endless parade of planes making routine flights. Arguing they missed the skyjacker who was still aboard the plane is to make an extraordinary claim, one which must be backed up by extraordinary evidence. Asserting that the theory is 'possible' is no evidence at all.

[a_unique_person]

Is there a statute of limitations on hijacking?

I'd like to find out who Cooper really was. It's kind of like wanting to know who Deep Throat was.

Wasn't that Linda Lovelace?

[UnrepentantSinner]

Attorney Galen Cook has been investigating the D.B. Cooper case and has been appearing on Coast to Coast AM (and some of you make fun of me for listening to stuff like that) with updates on an interesting new suspect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.b._cooper#Recent_developments
They have a photo of the suspect and the FBI Cooper composite on the C2C website, but I'm blocked from it was work and can't like right now.

[jocmilt]

It's always been my belief that D.B. Cooper never jumped from that Boeing 727 in 1971. He hid somewhere on the plane and escaped when it landed later in Reno. Since everyone assumed he jumped how well did the FBI search the plane?

Why trust jumping using a parachute provided by the FBI? Why hijack on a night with such poor weather? According to wiki:



Perhaps he used the poor weather to cover up the fact he didn't jump at all. As for the money found in 1980, he could have planted it there himself after the escape from Reno.

Folks tell me this is crazy talk! Is it?

Linky:


No, that's not crazy, it's how he did it. Throwing the chute out was just misdirection. He hid in the plane alright and walked off a couple of days later in a pair of overalls. From his knowledge of the plane I'd say he worked in or close to the airline maintenance sector. Have you seen the pictures of illegal immigrants concealed in car seats or under hollowed out dashboards? Imagine how many hidey-holes there must be in plane especially if he had prepared it and knew how to screw himself in from the inside? Get David Blaine on the case he would probably hide a football team on one of those.

[Sir Robin Goodfellow]

This is epic thread necromancy.

At any rate, I believe that D.B. Cooper jumped out of the plane, and the coyotes and ravens and maggots had a feast.


Deep Throat was an FBI agent named Mark Felt.


That is all.

[Skeptic Ginger]

Suspected D.B. Cooper parachute may actually be from '45 military crash (http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Suspected-D-B-Cooper-parachute-may-actually-be-1268879.php)

According to the Wiki entry:FBI agents, state troopers, sheriff's deputies, and Reno police surrounded the jet, as it had not yet been determined with certainty that Cooper was no longer aboard; but an armed search quickly confirmed that he was gone

[Robrob]

No, that's not crazy, it's how he did it. Throwing the chute out was just misdirection. He hid in the plane alright and walked off a couple of days later in a pair of overalls. From his knowledge of the plane I'd say he worked in or close to the airline maintenance sector.
Textbook example of how CT's work. If you can fantasize it, no matter how illogical or unwieldy, it must be true.

[Halfcentaur]

I meant to stick around, but on a way to a friend's house while listening to NPR I heard that apparently the FBI is claiming to have a new suspect in this case they're looking into. This was about a week or two ago.

*edit* Here we go.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/08/02/138921504/fbi-reveals-more-about-possible-skyjack-suspect

[richardm]

This is epic thread necromancy.

Heh. I was reading through the thread in some surprise, because I thought the parachute had actually been found a few years ago.

I hadn't noticed the dates on the posts :p

[Monketey Ghost]

Chances of jumping out of plane over unknown terrain in a storm with no survival gear, just twenty pounds of banknotes, equalling crazy plan gets man dead: 98%.

[Silly Green Monkey]

Planes can't have any 'hidey-holes' at all, because every ounce has to be accounted for in terms of fuel. With how little space a plane offers and how much has to be crammed into it, there's not going to be any random little unknown spots big enough for even carryon bags.

[davefoc]

I don't deny it's theoretically possible, but you're not taking account of the different circumstances behind the searches. Once again, the FBI were searching a known crime scene, not an endless parade of planes making routine flights. Arguing they missed the skyjacker who was still aboard the plane is to make an extraordinary claim, one which must be backed up by extraordinary evidence. Asserting that the theory is 'possible' is no evidence at all.

And Alt+F4 didn't claim any evidence, she was just throwing out an out of the box theory. The interesting thing is that Alt+F4 is a woman and we're just finding out about that now after 8000+ posts. Maybe she wasn't when he/she started posting? (just throwing out a theory Ian, I have no evidence on this)

As an aside, the new information (new to me, I assume she's known about it for awhile) about Alt+F4 made me curious about what happens when Alt+F4 is pressed, so I pressed it and alas I am now writing this reply for the second time as a result.

Attorney Galen Cook has been investigating the D.B. Cooper case and has been appearing on Coast to Coast AM (and some of you make fun of me for listening to stuff like that) with updates on an interesting new suspect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.b._cooper#Recent_developments
They have a photo of the suspect and the FBI Cooper composite on the C2C website, but I'm blocked from it was work and can't like right now.

Hmm, UnrpententSinner claims to be a regular listener to Coast to Coast. Now that is an extraordinary claim. Does he also wear the Coast to Coast tin foil hat in public or does he just wear it in private?

I meant to stick around, but on a way to a friend's house while listening to NPR I heard that apparently the FBI is claiming to have a new suspect in this case they're looking into. This was about a week or two ago.

*edit* Here we go.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/08/02/138921504/fbi-reveals-more-about-possible-skyjack-suspect

I thought that suspect had been completely eliminated, but according to the Christian Science Monitor article his DNA didn't match the partial DNA signature retrieved from D.B. Cooper's clip on tie. It seems like that kind of test still leaves open the possibility that the suspect could be the hijacker.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2011/0809/D.B.-Cooper-skyjack-Latest-lead-goes-cold-and-the-legend-lives-on

[bigred]

Chances of jumping out of plane over unknown terrain in a storm with no survival gear, just twenty pounds of banknotes, equalling crazy plan gets man dead: 98%.
Except we have no idea how well he knew the terrain or what survival gear he might have had stashed on him (granted probably minimal though). I agree odds were against him, but far from a given that he perished.

And no way did he hide on the plane. I hope those suggesting it are kidding.

[davefoc]

...
And no way did he hide on the plane. I hope those suggesting it are kidding.

I would have thought it was impossible also, but when the Millineum Falcon got sucked into the star cruiser, the crew was able to hide out from the Imperial soldiers inside the Millineum Falcon and I think Imperial soldiers had a lot more technology for searching transport craft than the FBI did back in 1971.

[bigred]

That was just another dang jedi mind trick.

[davefoc]

That was just another dang jedi mind trick.

And I think the implications of that are pretty clear. D.B. Cooper was a Jedi Warrior. This explains a lot about the situation.

[Mr. Purple]

Mathew: Are you Doobie Keebler?
Jimmy: No, absolutely not.

[Foolmewunz]

And I think the implications of that are pretty clear. D.B. Cooper was a Jedi Warrior. This explains a lot about the situation.

This is not the skyjacker you're looking for.

[Stacko]

Turns out he may be Canadian.

Forty years after his daring flight into criminal history as the mysterious hijacker-parachutist “D.B. Cooper,” the unidentified man who got away with a $200,000 ransom — or died trying — has led an FBI-backed team of “citizen sleuths” to conclude that he may have been a military-trained, French-Canadian factory manager or chemical engineer, probably from outside of Quebec.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/24/fbi-backed-team-finds-canadian-link-to-famous-60s-era-plane-hijacking/

[UnrepentantSinner]

Hmm, UnrpententSinner claims to be a regular listener to Coast to Coast. Now that is an extraordinary claim. Does he also wear the Coast to Coast tin foil hat in public or does he just wear it in private?

Thanks for the bump Stacko, now I can defend my honor.

I do listen to C2C, but that's because my job and work hours are ammenable to me having access to AM radio - man, there's nothing on the air talk wise but wingnuts and sports. Full disclosure: while it does entertain me... in the same way Ancient Aliens entertains me, the host on Sat. nights is pretty good about getting guests who are off center a bit, but he keeps the woo to a minimum.

And no. I don't wear the tin foil helmet in public. The tin foil curiass is another story...