DB Cooper

[Robert99 50]

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2. Cossey told me that the chute Cooper used was a 28-foot round stuffed into an NB 6 bag, and that it was Cossey's personal parachute for recreational jumping. Further, Cossey told me that he had modified the rip cord assembly so that it was a "hard pull."

Bruce, The part about Cossey using one of the back packs for "recreational jumping" won't work. If it was used in that manner it would need a reserve and neither backpack had the D-rings for mounting a reserve.

[skyjack71 0]

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Jo wrote

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I sat down beside his bed and he said "I am Dan Cooper". I didn't know who Dan Cooper was and he tried to tell me about jumping out of a plane - he tried for about 15 minutes and realized it was futile

In 15 minutes of trying don't you Duane could have got his point across to you? Why was it futile? All he'd have to say is I hijacked an airliner, got $200,000 in ransom and parachuted out of the plane

Exactly what did he say about jumping out of a plane? 15 minutes of talking is a long time. Give us your best recollection of what was said.

377

I think 15 minutes is overstating it. That was just off the top of my head because I get so fed up with JT.

Duane told me he was Dan Cooper. When he realized it was going over my head - he tried to explain what he was talking about.

He had also talked about jumping out of a plane when I was getting him dressed to take him to the ER - I was putting on his long johns when I asked him how he had hurt is leg (in the knee area). Now I don't even remember which leg it was - has been a long time.

He had been in the hospital for several days (more than a wk) and I can give you an exact number of days because I made notes in my appt book regarding my taking him to the ER and when he started to refuse food, etc. After the Dr., his nurse and the administrator left --- he pursued this conversation about jumping out of a plane again.

Remember - I had just been told Duane would die in 5 days, but he lived for 11. My mind was NOT on what he was saying that day in the hospital.

He said "I'm Dan Cooooper" and he cooed out the Coooper. I told him that I had known he used the name John Collins, but I had never heard that name. He TRIED to tell me, but I thought it was crazy and just could not digest what he was saying. I expect the entire conversation might have been 5 to 7 minutes. Beyond the plane jumping, I remember none of the conversation. from that point. At that time I was shuting it out and I have never been able to recall what he said.

Because I thought what he was saying was odd - I thought maybe he had been given some medication. I knew he had stated he had been refusing medication other than his blood pressure medication and the medication for the running legs...because he stated this in his conversation with the Dr.

He had been refusing the medication because of his decision and determination to not let the Dr. prolong his suffering...as it was spelled out in documents I had no idea even existed.

I have tried for 15 yrs to remember what Duane told me on that day and I do remember he said more - but, I was refusing to hear it.

I do remember my dismissal of what he was telling me. "You, jump out of plane - give me a break". I don't remember what I said just before he got mad and shouted out "Oh, Fuck let it die with me!" I should have been listening - because he had mentioned this same thing as I was dressing to take him to the hospital.

I really wish I could remember, but as hard as I have tried - I just draw a blank. Perhaps because it was such a tramatic time in my life. I was more afraid than he seemed to be. He was accepting what was happening to him and the fact that he was going to die. I was like a zombie - I functioned and did what I was supposed to do.

I had not been present when my father die and had never been exposed to watching anyone die.
I was afraid for him and for myself. Sorry, but I do NOT remember anymore.

I have some tapes I made after I contacted the FBI - perhaps I said or remembered more on those tapes, but I don't have anything to play them on anymore. It was a micro-cassett recorder.

Sorry, I can't spell it out for you guys any better. Sure, I could make somethings up, but then that would make me quilty of what JT accuses me of being all of the time.

I really really have a hard time discussing what happened in the hospital and it was a VERY emotional experience for me.

Things he said in the hospital are why I continue to pursue this - such as his conversation about Belgium with the Army Chaplain...I was not privey to any part of that conversation. Yrs later when I found that Chaplain he did NOT remember the man he ministered to in the Hospital when his mother or mother-in-law was dieing down the hall. Duane had refused to see the Hospital Chaplain.

I do remember that when I left the Chaplain with Duane in the room that I went into the hall and sank down on the hall floor against the wall crying my heart out because of the things Duane had said before I left the room.
Since I did NOT know Duane's past - when he started to talk like he was in a war to the Chaplain - I was just all torn up inside. My thinking was - OH MY GOD he is lieing to this man on his death bed!

Sorry - this is very very hard for me and makes me cry my heart out - because I don't understand it and regret I didn't ask him about his life before me. Quilt maybe. Regret for not listening. He was trying to tell me about his life and I was having none of it.

Copyright 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013, 2014, 2015 by Jo Weber

[377 22]

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2. Cossey told me that the chute Cooper used was a 28-foot round stuffed into an NB 6 bag, and that it was Cossey's personal parachute for recreational jumping. Further, Cossey told me that he had modified the rip cord assembly so that it was a "hard pull."

Bruce, The part about Cossey using one of the back packs for "recreational jumping" won't work. If it was used in that manner it would need a reserve and neither backpack had the D-rings for mounting a reserve.

.

Sounds like Cossey fed Bruce a bunch of BS. It's really cruel for an expert to do that to a reporter.

Sounds like neither main chute/rig was Cossey's. Robert 99 is right. Cossey sure as hell wasn't making sport jumps with a bailout rig with no D rings, no sleeve and no reserve.

What was the point in misleading Bruce and others?

377

2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

[Orange1 0]

Oh come on Jo. Somehow in 5 odd years on this forum, when you have spoken about the "deathbed confession" countless times, it never once occurred to you to mention Duane saying anything about jumping out of a plane until now? Sorry, I just don't buy this at all. I'm thinking wishful thinking is turning into false memory

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[JerryThomas 0]

Bruce are you sure this is what Cossey told you.I will give Cossey a call and find out for myself. When did Hayden get this Chute from the FBI.This I realy need to verify.Now who did this Chute originally belong too? Jerry

[377 22]

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Oh come on Jo. Somehow in 5 odd years on this forum, when you have spoken about the "deathbed confession" countless times, it never once occurred to you to mention Duane saying anything about jumping out of a plane until now? Sorry, I just don't buy this at all. I'm thinking wishful thinking is turning into false memory

+1

2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

[JerryThomas 0]

Robert99 Lets talk to Cossey and see what he has to say before we convict him in this matter. It is possible that Bruce may have misunderstood what he said.Cossey is in his 70's.Cossey was in his early 30's at the time of the hyjacking.Jerry

[skyjack71 0]

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Oh come on Jo. Somehow in 5 odd years on this forum, when you have spoken about the "deathbed confession" countless times, it never once occurred to you to mention Duane saying anything about jumping out of a plane until now? Sorry, I just don't buy this at all. I'm thinking wishful thinking is turning into false memory

Another post just went Poof! Everytime I make a post that is to the point and it is good it goes Poof!.

I have told the story many many times. Twice Duane mentioned jumping out of a plane.

1. When I was dressing him to take him to the hospital. I am puttin on his long johns and asked him how he hurt his leg.
He says "jumping out of a plane" and I remark "you jump out of a plane"

2. In the hospital several days later when he says "I'm Dan Cooper!" Do you think the conversation ended with that.
Perhaps I never spelled it out but I am sure I have many times. Why do you think Duane got so frustrated about my not getting what he was trying to explain, when he shouted out "Oh, Let it die with me." How do you think he was explaining this to me - of course he mentions jumping out of a plane again, but DUMB me did not get it.

3. Himmelsbach, Doug Pasternack, the PI I hired to help me get the information to the FBI and JT (I am sure if he has all of the other stuff he claimes on tape then he has this also).

4. All of this was told to the FBI - perhaps they recorded my phone calls - I don't know.

5. Surely I have told this story before to media or on the computer - it is definitely in my early attempts to tell the FBI and others and my attempts to make tapes in those yrs prior to 2000.

Copyright 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013, 2014, 2015 by Jo Weber

[skyjack71 0]

I spoke to both of the guys - Cossey and Hayden, but I would not try at this time to remember who told me what. I probably have notes but I wasn't writing a book or a new article. Over the yrs I have heard lots of versions.

Sounds like someone scrambled up the Cossey and Hayden info.

Copyright 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013, 2014, 2015 by Jo Weber

[JerryThomas 0]

Jo Not again: You know Duane was not Cooper and all your stories are made up and taken from another writer. Please . The Avatar you use is based on a artist that you brought forward to draw a coposite from one of Duanes pictures. You already admitted that.Lets do this Revert back to Page 1110 and all post from 27733.And read all. Jo you outed yourself. Then you still continue to build fiction from scratch or should i say start all over again.Jerry

[skyjack71 0]

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The Avatar you use is based on a artist that you brought forward to draw a coposite from one of Duanes pictures. You already admitted that.Lets do this Revert back to Page 1110 and all post from 27733.And read all. Jo you outed yourself. Then you still continue to build fiction from scratch or should i say start all over again.Jerry

I absolutely could NOT help but reply to this post guys!

All of you know the Avatar I have is my own creation. I used 1/2 of the composite and 1/2 of a side angle picture of Duane. I got them as close as I could in size - printed them and then cut the pictures in half and connected them. Then I scanned the results - that is my avatar. The Avatar has a more narrow look because the picture I used of Duane was slightly turned.

JT, everyone else know this - how come you didn't read back before you made an absolute idiot out of yourself. The guys gave me a fit about the avatar back when I did it. The explanation is already in the thread. The only alteration I did was a tiny connections of the hair line because of the tilt in the photo. DUH!

You JUST OUTED YOURSELF JT!

Now I am attaching the composite of Cooper and the picture of Duane I used.

Copyright 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013, 2014, 2015 by Jo Weber

[BruceSmith 3]

Update on Earl Cossey and the DB Cooper Parachutes
October 17, 2011


I spoke with Earl Cossey this evening to clarify the controversy over who owned the back chutes that were delivered to DB Cooper. This subject has associated issues, such as how they got to Sea-Tac, what types of parachutes DB Cooper could choose from, and what does Cooper’s choice say about his skills as a skydiver.

Mr. Cossey strongly affirmed to me that he owned the two back chutes.

When I asked him what his relationship was with Norman George Hayden, Cossey relied, “Who’s he? I’ve never heard of him.”

When I informed Cossey that Mr. Hayden is listed in FBI documents as the owner, and that Hayden told me over the phone today that he owned the chutes and provided them to the FBI for the Cooper case, Coss replied, “He is so full of s**t.”

When I asked for reconfirmation on ownership, Cossey plainly said, “Yes, I owned them, absolutely.” He continued. “I packed them, and I sold parachute gear for a living. In fact, I was paid back by Northwest Airlines for the chutes – that should tell you something!”

Mr. Cossey was good-natured throughout the conversation, and quite animated. As a result, we were able to speak at length about the two back parachutes.

However, there is still some confusion over the chute that Cooper used.

Generally, Cossey said that the parachute that Cooper used was an NB 8 container with a 28-foor canopy inside. When I reminded Cossey that my understanding of our prior conversation in March 2009 was that he had stuffed a 28-foot round canopy into a NB 6 container, making for a hard pull, I heard him say, “that’s pretty much accurate.”

Nevertheless, when I returned to this question a few moments later, Cossey veered from his prior statements to me and said that a NB 6 container had never been used.

Cossey’s final description of Cooper’s parachute was that it was a canopy designed for an NB 8 in an NB 8 container, and he re-iterated that a NB 6 had never been used.

As for the second parachute, the one that was left on the plane, Cossey said that it was not an NB 8, and neither was it a “Paracommander” or a “Paradise,” or any other kind of rectangular, steerable sport chute. Rather, it was a modified parachute that would typically be used as an emergency parachute by aerobatic pilots, but it was packed in a container that often housed sport parachutes. Cossey said this second chute was made by the Pioneer manufacturing company.

Mr. Cossey said this second chute was well-padded in the chest and crotch areas - making it a preferable rig. He also said this chute had a superior rip chord, effecting an easier pull.

In addition, Cossey said the chute had “sleeves,” again making it a superior chute over the NB 8 because the sleeves would slow the opening of the canopy and lessen the severity of the shock experienced when the canopy did open.

Cossey confirmed his characterizations that he had given me in 2009, calling the NB 8 a “broken-down VW” and the Pioneer a “Cadillac.”

Cossey also said that neither chute was his personal rig, and that he used a separate parachute for his own recreational jumping, which is not what I heard in our 2009 conversation.

© 2011 Bruce A. Smith

[JerryThomas 0]

Jo: Wrong . The other Half is a Drawing. Its easy to recognize. Besides you posted and mentioned it in the past, that was what you did in order to prove that Duane looked like Cooper to complete your scam.Its simple to break it down all that has to be done is take all your pictures you have posted in the past and those that have been published along with your own bragging post you made to prove it.Better yet.Just go on line and google it. Funny thing I have asked you to change your Avatar. Because it looked nother like the original composite compaired to the picture of DUANE which is not Cooper . Jerry

[JerryThomas 0]

Bruce. When I get Cosseys permission to post your coversation with him and the tactics you used. I will post it. Its not going to look Good for Bruce. Still ask Ralph about your Tactics and what he thinks of them. Better yet your deception will always be in Question. Jerry

[skyjack71 0]

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Jo: Wrong . The other Half is a Drawing. Its easy to recognize. Besides you posted and mentioned it in the past, that was what you did in order to prove that Duane looked like Cooper to complete your scam.Its simple to break it down all that has to be done is take all your pictures you have posted in the past and those that have been published along with your own bragging post you made to prove it.Better yet.Just go on line and google it. Funny thing I have asked you to change your Avatar. Because it looked nother like the original composite compaired to the picture of DUANE which is not Cooper . Jerry

The artist did an age regression and that was NOT used to make the AVATAR. BLOW IT UP TO FULL PAGE AND LOOK.

THE AVATAR IS THE COOPER COMPOSITE AND A PICTURE OF WEBER.

TAKE THE 2 PHOTOS I PUT ON THE POST WHERE I ANSWERED YOU - MAKE A COPY OF EACH AND CUT THEM IN HALF - AND YOU HAVE MY AVATAR.

Enough of this - Good Night and Fare Thee Well!

Copyright 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013, 2014, 2015 by Jo Weber

[JerryThomas 0]

Jo : realy I thought you said it was a Picture and not done by a artist. I think you called me Busted. Jerry

[JerryThomas 0]

Bruce. Why has Snowmman contacted me in reference to your post about Cossey. I will not disclose the, PM threat, but what are you scarred of.Jerry

[JerryThomas 0]

Bruce. So there can be no mistake about what Cossey says. Why don't you and I visit Cossey Together. Also Why can't you and I visit Hayden Together.This way there will be no mistake about what is said. Jerry

[hangdiver 1]

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Bruce. So there can be no mistake about what Cossey says. Why don't you and I visit Cossey Together. Also Why can't you and I visit Hayden Together.This way there will be no mistake about what is said. Jerry

Jerry, I think we need someone with jump experience to settle this parachute mystery...

I know neither Jerry or Bruce...but...a writer, that is not a jumper, investigating parachutes, has never turned out too good in my experience.

hangdiver

"Mans got to know his limitations"
Harry Callahan

[evillejmper 0]

Questions come to mind:

JERRY- if Hayden did not own the rig why would the FBI list him out of the blue? If Hayden has the rig, has documentation from the FBI of the Rig and has the lawyer bills to get the rig, then if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, you gonna say its a goose? I have one other question, you always refer to Ralph, Ralph, Ralph. When is the last time he has touched the case or really investigated it other than interviews when people call him?

BRUCE- One curious question then resurfaces. Ask Hayden his opinion of the canopy CKRET and the FBI found. in his opinion was it the "other" rig?

JO- I thought you had this solved and ready to drop the bomb to solve it and make the FBI look bad???? I think ORANGE has been politely saying PUT UP OR SHUT UP Please. Why don't you let everyone know why this is fizzling out AGAIN!

I am not trying to be a smart ass here guys, these are questions I have been wondering. Please.

[hangdiver 1]

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JERRY- if Hayden did not own the rig why would the FBI list him out of the blue? If Hayden has the rig, has documentation from the FBI of the Rig and has the lawyer bills to get the rig, then if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, you gonna say its a goose? I have one other question, you always refer to Ralph, Ralph, Ralph. When is the last time he has touched the case or really investigated it other than interviews when people call him?

BRUCE- One curious question then resurfaces. Ask Hayden his opinion of the canopy CKRET and the FBI found. in his opinion was it the "other" rig?

It seems to me that Hayden was an aerobatic pilot that bought some pilot emergency bailout rigs and had Cossey assemble or repack them.

Cossey may not remember exactly what they were and may have even sold them to Hayden or was in the process of making the sale at the time of the hijacking.

This is all pure speculation...I think Jerry is the guy in the area to go see Cossey and Hayden and he should take a current rigger with him that knows the old gear.

Just my two cents...

hangdiver

"Mans got to know his limitations"
Harry Callahan

[hangdiver 1]

I've been giving the eye color thing some thought...

My eyes will change colors...my daughter had brown eyes all her life...I had lunch with her a couple of weeks ago and noticed her eyes are now green or hazel...

She told me her teenage daughter asked her what color her eyes were...she said brown...her daughter laughed and said mom...don't you even know what color your eyes are...my daughter is a little shocked that her eyes are not brown anymore...

hangdiver

"Mans got to know his limitations"
Harry Callahan

[smokin99 0]

Re: Parachutes. Not sure if this has been posted here before or not, but maybe this will help shed some light on the legend of the dueling parachutes.....
http://myprojectstatus.net/skyjack/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DOCU_parachutes1.pdf


The link originated from Geoffrey Gray's "The Hunt for DB Cooper" website. http://myprojectstatus.net/skyjack/


Additionally...
Excerpt from the Issaquaah Press, Wed, Dec 1, 1971, Vol 71 No. 48 by Bill Ostlund titled "Hijacker may be known in Issaquah" that has been posted on thread in the past…(Post #18929)….
"......The Issaquah parachutist supplied the two chest packs the hijacker demanded. Enrick (sp?) recalled that the Washington Aeronautic Commission had called him last Wednesday afternoon requesting "four parachutes for two hijackers in Seattle" (Smokin says....Later in the article Emrick states that he subsequently learned there was only one hijacker). ...(Emrick) then learned that a Renton firm supplied the two backpack chutes and only chest pack chutes would be needed…….."

but....A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.....Winston Churchill

[hangdiver 1]

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Re: Parachutes. Not sure if this has been posted here before or not, but maybe this will help shed some light on the legend of the dueling parachutes.....
http://myprojectstatus.net/skyjack/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DOCU_parachutes1.pdf


The link originated from Geoffrey Gray's "The Hunt for DB Cooper" website. http://myprojectstatus.net/skyjack/


Additionally...
Excerpt from the Issaquaah Press, Wed, Dec 1, 1971, Vol 71 No. 48 by Bill Ostlund titled "Hijacker may be known in Issaquah" that has been posted on thread in the past…….
"......The Issaquah parachutist supplied the two chest packs the hijacker demanded. Enrick (sp?) recalled that the Washington Aeronautic Commission had called him last Wednesday afternoon requesting "four parachutes for two hijackers in Seattle" (Smokin says....Later in the article Emrick states that he subsequently learned there was only one hijacker). ...(Emrick) then learned that a Renton firm supplied the two backpack chutes and only chest pack chutes would be needed…….."

Thanks smokin99, I haven't read the book and it's been a while since I've read the transcripts...nice info...current descriptions versus old memories...which would I go with...probably the...then...current info...

I kinda figured Cossey either sold or assembled those rigs...just reading what he had to say about them...

I've known a rigger or two in my journeys...

eta: so Cossey gave them rigs he had already sold to Hayden...and had just repacked and assembled...I wonder if Hayden had ever been in possession of them yet...???...

hangdiver

"Mans got to know his limitations"
Harry Callahan

[Farflung 0]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNnrlVWMTvc

It feels like starting over again with the owner of the parachutes being disputed after so many fine mesh filters being used previously (how did that happen here?). Someone is going to be number 2 in this story because they both can’t own the chutes.

Now George Harrison is quoted by the FBI all those years ago….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85Smw33PKJA

Braden should have been singled out sooner. There is nothing hinky or strange about his story unlike the dueling Cooper chute owners or like Woodstock that has nine million people claiming attendance or the 350 thousand Congo mercenary veterans.

I think an answer is just around the corner.