Who Was D.B. Cooper? The Man Who Hijacked a Plane and Vanished Without a Trace

Introduction: The Most Infamous Unsolved Hijacking in U.S. History

On November 24, 1971, a man known only as D.B. Cooper hijacked a commercial flight, extorted a ransom of $200,000, and then parachuted into the night—never to be seen again. It remains the only unsolved case of air piracy in U.S. history, despite one of the longest and most exhaustive FBI investigations ever conducted.

Was Cooper a criminal mastermind, a desperate man seeking fortune, or just incredibly lucky? And most importantly—where did he go? This article explores the details of the hijacking, the theories surrounding his disappearance, and why his case continues to fascinate investigators and conspiracy theorists alike.

The Hijacking: How D.B. Cooper Pulled Off the Perfect Crime

On the eve of Thanksgiving in 1971, a man using the alias Dan Cooper boarded Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 in Portland, Oregon, bound for Seattle. Wearing a dark suit, a black tie, and sunglasses, he blended in perfectly with the other passengers.

A Chilling Note to the Flight Attendant

Shortly after takeoff, Cooper handed a note to flight attendant Florence Schaffner. She initially ignored it, assuming it was a phone number. But when she glanced at the message, her heart stopped—it read:

“I have a bomb in my briefcase. I want you to sit beside me.”

When Schaffner complied, Cooper opened his briefcase, revealing a tangle of wires and red sticks resembling dynamite. He then calmly dictated his demands:

• $200,000 in cash

• Four parachutes

• A fuel truck standing by in Seattle for refueling

An Unbelievably Calm Hijacker

Unlike most hijackings, Cooper was polite, even charming. He paid for his drinks, tipped the flight crew, and never harmed anyone. After landing in Seattle, he allowed all 36 passengers to leave, keeping only the flight crew onboard.

Once the ransom and parachutes were delivered, Cooper ordered the plane to take off again, heading toward Mexico City at a low altitude and slow speed—a setup perfect for a parachute jump.

The Great Escape: Parachuting Into History

Somewhere over Southwest Washington, D.B. Cooper did the unthinkable—he opened the plane's rear airstair and jumped into the stormy night with the ransom money strapped to his chest.

The plane continued its course, but when the crew checked the cabin, Cooper was gone.

The Investigation: How Could a Man Just Disappear?

Immediate Search Efforts

When the FBI learned of the hijacking, they launched one of the most intensive manhunts in history, known as NORJAK (Northwest Hijacking).

• They focused on a heavily forested area near Ariel, Washington, where they believed Cooper may have landed.

• Despite hundreds of searches, no trace of Cooper was found—no parachute, no body, nothing.

The Only Evidence Ever Found

• In 1980, a boy named Brian Ingram discovered $5,800 in decomposed $20 bills buried along the Columbia River—the only confirmed ransom money ever found [source].

• The rest of the cash never resurfaced, leading to endless theories about what happened to Cooper.

The Theories: What Really Happened to D.B. Cooper?

Theory 1: Cooper Survived and Went into Hiding

Many believe Cooper successfully landed, hid for years, and lived out his days in secrecy. Some of the most compelling clues supporting this theory include:

• No body or parachute was ever found.

• The ransom money never re-entered circulation, suggesting he either hid or destroyed it.

• Several deathbed confessions have surfaced over the years, with people claiming to be Cooper, though none were definitively proven.

Prime Suspects for This Theory:

1. Robert Rackstraw – A military veteran with skydiving experience, who some believe had the skills to pull off the jump.

2. L.D. Cooper – A former paratrooper whose family suspected him for years.

Theory 2: Cooper Didn’t Survive the Jump

Many experts, including former FBI agents, argue that Cooper could not have survived due to several factors:

• He jumped in the middle of a storm, wearing only a suit and dress shoes—hardly ideal for a landing in rough terrain.

• He had no experience with skydiving at night in such dangerous conditions.

• The area he likely landed in was filled with rugged mountains, freezing temperatures, and dense forest—almost impossible to survive without preparation.

This theory suggests that Cooper’s remains are still out there, waiting to be discovered.

Theory 3: A Government Cover-Up?

Some theorists claim that Cooper was an insider or had government connections, which allowed him to disappear without a trace.

• The FBI kept certain details classified, fueling speculation that they knew more than they revealed.

• Some believe Cooper worked for the CIA and that the hijacking was a staged event to test airline security.

While this theory is less credible, it remains popular among conspiracy theorists.

The FBI’s Final Verdict: Case Closed?

After 45 years of investigation, the FBI officially closed the D.B. Cooper case in 2016, stating that it had exhausted all leads. [source]

However, independent investigators and amateur sleuths continue searching for answers. The case has inspired books, movies, and documentaries, ensuring that the legend of D.B. Cooper will never be forgotten.

Conclusion: The Man, the Myth, the Mystery

The mystery of D.B. Cooper remains one of the greatest unsolved crimes in American history. Was he a highly skilled criminal who escaped justice, or did he perish in the wilderness that fateful night?

Even after decades of speculation, his fate remains unknown—a mystery that keeps both investigators and enthusiasts captivated.

What do you think? Was Cooper a mastermind who got away with it, or just a lucky daredevil who met a tragic end?

For more in-depth analysis, check out this FBI case summary on the Cooper hijacking [source].