Dan Cooper Essay Example
Dan Cooper Essay Example

Dan Cooper Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (721 words)
  • Published: January 24, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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In 1971, an unremarkable middle-aged person purchased a one-way flight ticket from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington using the alias Dan Cooper. The plane departed with a total of five crew members and 37 passengers on board. During the flight, he discreetly handed over a note to a stewardess named Flo Schaffner. She initially thought it was just an ordinary piece of paper which might contain his contact details and casually put it into her pocket without giving it a read. But in another encounter later during the journey, Cooper strongly suggested that she should read the message as it contained important information.

In 1971, just before Thanksgiving and under harsh weather conditions, an unknown individual with two parachutes and $200,000 in cash disappeared mysteriously. The incident still remains a mystery that

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the FBI hasn't been able to solve. A flight attendant came across a threatening letter which led her and another flight attendant named Tina Mucklow to warn the pilot about a possible bomb threat from a passenger if his demands were not satisfied. David Krajicek pointed out that "There was no real threat of mid-air hijacking in 1971; hence one could easily board an airplane because security norms were relaxed" (Ch. ).

Cooper insisted on the provision of $200,000 in untraceable $20 notes and two parachute sets for front and back upon plane's landing. His demands were accepted by representatives from local law enforcement, FBI, the airline enterprise, and Federal Aviation Administration officials. Before giving permission for the aircraft to land, Cooper verified that his cash and parachutes had been prepared as per his request. He further stipulated that

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an individual with no ties to any law enforcement body should personally handover these items to him on the plane.

Upon landing, he directed Tina Mucklow to supply him with the money and parachutes. He then permitted everyone, except Mucklow and the three flight crew members positioned in the cockpit, to exit the aircraft. His subsequent request was to plot a course for Mexico City. However, he was promptly notified about the insufficiency of fuel to reach Mexico City non-stop. Consequently, he consented to refuel in Reno Nevada. Following departure, he commanded the four people left on board to stay within the cockpit.

Around 8:00 pm, the pilot noticed a flashing red light indicating that the plane's back door may have been opened. Shortly afterwards at approximately 8:25 pm, a minor movement was detected from the front to the rear of the aircraft, implying that someone might have jumped out. Due to uncertainties about his position and the potential risk of an explosion, crew members adhered to instructions to keep the door locked. It is still unclear whether he absconded with cash or discarded it prior to jumping off.

The dismal weather conditions postponed the beginning of the search operation until the following day. Individuals continue to hike around the vast Northwest region, hoping to discover Cooper's body, the stolen goods, or perhaps the parachute he employed, given that the only thing recovered belonging to Cooper is a sum of $5,800 in twenty dollar bills marked specially like those handed over to him that night. This money was discovered almost forty miles south of the initially envisaged landing spot, buried beside

a river bank.

After a thorough examination of the cash by financial professionals, they determined that the money had naturally drifted downstream and was eventually hidden. The circumstances after Cooper's jump from the plane remain vague since the FBI could not conclude or solve the case, giving rise to numerous conjectures. Some residents believe he managed to land safely and fled to Canada, while others speculate that he stayed concealed in thick forests for many years before either passing away or smoothly assimilating back into society.

Many believe he met his end on the same night he leapt due to either falling into a cavern, perishing in the river, or becoming prey to wild animals. There is no concrete evidence to establish his survival or death after the leap. The infamous pseudonym D. B. Cooper originated from him using the name Dan Cooper while buying his plane ticket and coincidentally, there was a convicted criminal called D. B. Cooper residing near the airport. Despite being officially declared uninvolved, the moniker prevailed and has since become synonymous with one of history's most elusive unsolved mysteries.

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