Another history question

[propblast 0]

Ok my crazy friends here at dz.com. Time for another one of my skydiving history questions. Been researchin DB Cooper. So how did he jump this plane.(i know its the only one that could have stairs lowered in flite)What kind of gear etc. Do you think he survived etc. Its kindof an intresting story. Never heard of it being attempted since. I heard they sometimes have airliners at the world freefall convention. anyone ever jump one?
-e

[max 0]

The plane DB Cooper jumped from was a Boeing 727. Thats the same stlye of jet at the WWFC. It is a passenger jet with retractable gear and a stairwell that lowers in the back. Which on the ground actually helps balance the aircraft. Meaning if you dont lower the stairs on the ground, once the people start getting off, the plane is so tail heavy, it will actually lift the nose off the ground. (I've actually seen it happen...)
As far as DB Cooper living, nobody knows. I think the only thing that was found on the ground was some of the money. No sign of him.

[Iflyme 0]

Here is some interesting DB Cooper stuff:
http://www.naplesnews.com/00/08/florida/d483884a.htm

[miked10270 0]

HI there,
Several airliners built in the 1960's had an "airstair". This was a section of the rear fuselage under the tail that opened downwards, kind of like an attic ladder & removed the need for jetways etc... The Sud-Aviation (Aerospatiale) Caravelle, De-Havilland Comet & Early Boeing 727 all had this.
The WFFC used to have such a 727 every year, but I heard they've now lost it. Exit was via the rear airstair "just like DB Cooper" & no-one died.
Anyway, having threatened tha airline with his Marzipan, got the money & 2 sets of parachutes, DB instructs the pilot to fly a specific course & altitude. He gets instruction from the remaining cabin crew on how to operate the airstair & sends him up to the cockpit. Next thing, the warning light goes off in the cockpit to show the airstair is opening & the pilot takes this to mean it's a good idea to SLOW THE F... DOWN!!!!! So the exit is do-ableI do have it on good authority that DB was alive (& skydiving) as recently as 1996-7 - still in the US. Just don't tell the FBI, it'll only p!$$ them off.
Mike D10270.

[cdunham 0]

Jumped the jet, you bet! The first year they had it at Quincy (92). One of the best skydives ever! First of all, picture this. The day the thing flew in, it buzzed the airport. We were all so stoked waiting for the thing, and there it was at 500 feet! What a rush!
I'm not sure what the stall speed for a 727 is, but it is around 200 knots, which means that the exit is quite unforgettable. The plane was kind of rocking back and forth, and people were streaming out one at a time in two or three passes. Down the stairs and into the slipstream, woooooosh! Yahoooooooo!
The best part was seeing the thing from underneath as we fell away. That and completing a four-way point (one) dealing with some serious horizontal and vertical separation. The worst was landing 15 miles (yes, miles) off the airport! That's one long jump run (two or three, actually).
As far as it not coming back, check out the Web Site. There is a great explaination about why it is such a big deal that it gets there at all. They try every year, and until last year, were able to get it. The problem was that the charter/freight company needed the plane at the last minute to cover its freight routes, so the charter was cancelled. It could happen again, or not. They don't know for certain until a week or so before the boogie!
---
"The hardest part of breathing underwater is taking the first breath"

[Zennie 0]

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Never heard of it being attempted since.

It has been tried since. Only not with quite as stellar results...
Click here
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Blue Skies!
Zennie

[Zennie 0]

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I do have it on good authority that DB was alive (& skydiving) as recently as 1996-7 - still in the US.

Oh man what I would give to meet that guy! BTW. Does anyone know if there's a statute of limitations on the crimes he's been charged with? I'd love for him to be able to come forward and do an interview or write a book or something.
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Blue Skies!
Zennie

[VivaHeadDown 0]

From what I understand, when you get on a jet the cabin attendants secure the doors before leaving the ramp. These doors are different from the ones in DB's days in that they CAN NOT be opened in flight. And since the old rear exit just didn't catch on, the only DB cooper stunts anyone will pull will be from foriegn, out of date airline services that still fly the models not equipt with current (as is the last 30 years since) doors.

[mountainman 0]

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Does anyone know if there's a statute of limitations on the crimes he's been charged with??

Since these are federal charges, there are not limitations. I've heard of the feds hanging around DZs looking for him still. I found a great site once, let me look for it again...
Brandon and Laura
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/
a work in progress

[mountainman 0]

Here it is.....3 seconds later. TONS AND TONS of info...
http://www.super70s.com/Super70s/News/1971/November/24-DB_Cooper.asp
enjoy..
Brandon and Laura
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/
a work in progress

[propblast 0]

Zennie,
No limitations on it. As a matter of fact the FBI office in Seattle still has 60 plus volumes still open and on file for this case.
-e

[miked10270 0]

"DB alive, well & jumping as recently as 1996-7"
If you're interested in where he WAS (!!)(as I'm sure the Federal Authorities are) then mail me but send me your Pubkey for the response.
Mike D10270.

[propblast 0]

would be a heck of an interview i bet. Anyone know what shoots he used? Para commander maybe? surplus military? Any who itd be a heck of an interview.
-e