Topic: Florence Schaffner

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.

Flight attendants Tina Mucklow and Florence Schaffner described DB Cooper as a polite, calm, and well-dressed man in his mid-to-late 40s. During the flight, he drank bourbon, smoked cigarettes, and even attempted to tip the crew with change from his drink purchase. The iconic composite sketches of the hijacker often feature the sunglasses he donned after his initial interaction with the crew.