Topic: Boeing 727

The 1971 hijacking of Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 began when a man using the alias Dan Cooper purchased a ticket at Portland International Airport. After claiming to have a bomb, Cooper demanded $200,000 and four parachutes during a stop in Seattle. The hijacker demonstrated advanced technical knowledge of the Boeing 727, specifically requesting the plane fly at minimum stall speed with the rear airstairs lowered before jumping.

Researcher Marty Andrade argues that DB Cooper likely survived the jump, comparing the conditions to World War II bailouts which had high success rates. Cooper specifically chose a rugged military-style parachute over a more modern steerable civilian model, a move some experts believe was necessary to handle the opening speed of the jet. His ability to correctly don the gear suggested significant prior training to the observing crew.

The DB Cooper hijacking served as a primary catalyst for the militarization of airport security, leading to the implementation of metal detectors and bag searches. Following the event, the FAA mandated the installation of the "Cooper vane" on all Boeing 727s to prevent the rear airstairs from being opened during flight. Critics argue these changes were part of a broader trend toward increasing state surveillance and checkpoints.