Topic: Ariel Washington

The Boeing 727 followed flight path Victor 23 toward Reno when pilots noticed a pressure bump at approximately 8:11 PM, indicating the moment Cooper jumped. Despite extensive searches by the National Guard in the Ariel, Washington area, no trace of the hijacker or his gear was found. The timing of the jump on Thanksgiving Eve provided the suspect with a 48-hour head start before organized search efforts began.

While the long-standing "DB Cooper Days" in Ariel, Washington ended following the death of store owner Donna Elliott, the tradition continues with CooperCon in Portland. The event at the Kiggins Theater features speakers like Marty Andrade and Eric Ulis, as well as tours of the flight path and a Cooper-themed escape room. The pilot's daughter is also scheduled to speak about her father's experience during the 1971 hijacking.