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Zephyr CASE FILE
FILE NO: NORJAK-1971
> SUBJECT PROFILE
On November 24, 1971, an unidentified man hijacked a Boeing 727 aircraft between Portland and Seattle. He extorted $200,000 in ransom and parachuted from the plane. Despite an extensive manhunt and FBI investigation, the true identity of Zephyr remains unknown.
FBI Sketch of Zephyr
Northwest Orient Airlines Boeing 727
Recovered Ransom Money - 1980
> EVENT TIMELINE
14:45 PST - Subject boards Flight 305 under the alias "Dan Cooper"
15:07 PST - Hands note to flight attendant Florence Schaffner
17:39 PST - Aircraft lands in Seattle, ransom and parachutes delivered
19:40 PST - Cooper parachutes from aircraft with ransom money
February 10, 1980 - $5,800 of ransom money found on Columbia River bank
> PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
- > Height: 5'10" - 6'0"
- > Weight: 170-180 lbs
- > Age: Mid-40s
- > Eyes: Brown
- > Complexion: Olive
- > Attire: Business suit, white shirt, black tie
> UNRESOLVED QUESTIONS
- > True identity of Zephyr
- > Survival status after jump
- > Location of remaining ransom money
- > Military/parachuting background
- > Connection to aviation industry
> CASE STATUS
The FBI officially suspended active investigation of the case in July 2016. The case remains the only unsolved air piracy in American aviation history.