The Hijacking Event
On November 24, 1971, an individual known as Dan Cooper boarded Northwest Airlines Flight 305, embarking on a hijacking that would etch his name into the annals of unsolved mysteries. Cooper's actions were deliberate and calculated. After informing a flight attendant of a bomb in his briefcase, he demanded a ransom of $200,000, four parachutes, and a fuel truck in Seattle to facilitate his escape. This meticulously planned operation culminated when Cooper parachuted into the night over southwestern Washington, leaving behind a trail of speculation and intrigue.
Uncovered Evidence
The evidence discovered in the wake of Cooper's disappearance is both minimal and enigmatic. A placard detailing the operation of a Boeing 727's aft stairs, found years later, suggested a calculated escape. More perplexing was the 1980 discovery of $5,800 of the ransom money by a young boy on the Columbia River's banks, far from the presumed drop zone. These clues, while intriguing, have yet to yield conclusive insights into Cooper's fate or whereabouts, maintaining the case's status as an enduring mystery.
1971-11-24: The Hijacking
1971-11-24: The Ransom
1971-11-24: The Parachute Escape
1971-11-25: The Manhunt Begins
1971-12-11: Composite Sketches Distributed
1972-01: FBI Considers Cooper's Survival
1978-03-20: Placard Found
1980-02-10: Ransom Money Found
1986: Ransom Serial Numbers Released
2007-11-01: Partial DNA Profile Obtained
2016-07-12: FBI Closes Investigation