WA WA - D.B. Cooper hijacking mystery, 24 Nov 1971 - #1

[scandi]

Hi Leftcoast, I've been thinking about you and wonder if you have learned anything new at all!

Scandi

 

[leftcoast]

Hi Scandi.

Well, my buddy and I have been working the case, whenever we get a chance. However, our suspect has not been home when we have tried to interview him (plus, he lives about 2 hours from our house, so that further complicates things). Through exhaustive techniques, we found out he has a place out of state for the winter. HE is expected to be back in Oregon in about one and a half weeks. He will be receiving a visit then.

It is amazing how this guy can keep up his lifestyle without ever having to work.

We have a plan in order to get him to talk with us.

You have to think that part of him wants his story told. I think we are just the one's who would be willing to tell his story.

Thanks for thinking about us.

Don't worry, we aren't going to let this opportunity slip away.

left

 

[scandi]

Hi Leftcoast, Great to hear you are OK. When Webgsleuths crashed for a week due to the server I was worried you wouldn't know what was going on. I had a little heart attack! LOL Once in awhile sites go down, and this one was for 5 days which was a long time for us.

Anyway good to know you have a plan. I have a strong feeling you and your counterpart friend are up to the task, so it will happen when it is suppose to, when the time is right!

Scandi

 

[AlwaysShocked]

I was reading about the various Pacific Northwest national parks when I came across a story that somehow reminded me of this one - so I will put it here.
I guess what it was that reminded me of the db cooper story is that sometimes what you think would be impossible isn't impossible!

Listed in the history section of the Paradise Lodge, Mt. Rainier National Park:
In 1951 an Air Force Lt. named John Hodgkin decided to land his private plane, a Piper Cub, on the top of Mt. Rainier. He did so, and then could not restart the plane. Park rangers climbed to the top of the mountain in order to assist him and found him and the plane gone! He had glided the plane off the mountain with no engine running and landed at nearby Mowich Lake. He was later tried and convicted of ignoring a ban on landing airplanes in the park!

http://www.pbs.org/opb/greatlodges/nationalparks/pacific/paradise_trivia.html

Also here:http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cach...inier"+John+hodgkin"&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Absolutely amazing!

 

[scandi]

WOW AlwaysShocked, I am shocked! LOL That is really interesting. Can you imagine the gaul of arresting such a gallant and resourceful tooper? You got to admit he had plain old fashioned GUTS.

Scandi

 

[leftcoast]

Always Shocked, thanks for sharing that story.

ONe would think landing on the top of Mt. Rainier would be impossible, but, there is no such thing. And to think that in 1951, there wasn't GPS, how in the world would the pilot know where he was (I'm being sarcstic, aimed at a certain individual connected to this case).


Anyway, Scandi, etc, this Saturday could be the day. We will attempt to negotiate our deal with our suspect. It will be interesting to see his reaction. As long as he doesn't hit me in the nose, I really can't afford a lot of reconstruction surgery right now.

I'll let you know what happens, ie, if he is home, etc. I have a feeling it will be denial, denial, denial. But, you never know.

left

 

[AlwaysShocked]

leftcoast: What do you mean by "renegotiate our deal" with the suspect? Or can't you say right now?

 

[leftcoast]

Always Shocked:

Basically, when I said "negotiate our deal", it meant that my buddy and I have a proposal for our suspect. Through these talks, maybe we can get something "concrete" related to the crime, that only Cooper would know. I can't really say exactly what that is, but, just to let him know that we "know", and we're not going away. We just want the story. Its' not a personal vendetta, or anything.

Part of me, 99% of me, believes he has already figured it out. I mean, we have visited him four times, and some of our questions go beyond what an ordinary author would know. But, I'm sure his current wife, neighbors, and friends, have absolutely zero clue that he is Cooper. How would that affect his marriage, etc. It really is quite odd how he was able to bluff so many people. And how our past will eventually catch up with us. We all have skeletons in the closet, it is just that his skeleton is very famous. He may have moved 100 miles or so, away from the scene of the crime, but, the trail leads directly to him, even 35 years later. I've never seen a stronger, more obvious trail.

I hope that answers the question

left

 

[scandi]

Hi Leftcoast,

I came to send you a Happy Easter wish, and was tickled pink to see you have been here.

You know our minds and prayers will be with you and your friend, and that it will be a step forward for justice in the case.

If it is fruitful, I'm just dying to know your plans for follow-up with the story!
Exciting. I know Channel 6 will be the lead agency for the story.
Now, I am happy to wait, but will keep you guys in my thoughts all day tomorrow.

Scandi

PS: What a coup, to visit him on Easter weekend. Love it!

 

[leftcoast]

Thanks Scandi

Yes, I just got off the phone with my buddy, and in 14 hours we will be on our way to MR. Cooper's.

Happy Easter to you as well.

Thanks for praying for us. A lot of people are worried about us, given we will be confronting him. I'm not trying to hype it up, but, if a guy is willing to thumb his nose at the feds, then what is he really capable of? either way, we will be going tomorrow. Life is about risk and reward. I like our chances of solving a case are much better than a 72 year old man getting the jump on two men who are much younger.

Plus, he had nothing to lose in 71, was a functional alcoholic, and today he has quite a bit of assets, a wife, and quite a few friends.

I'll post tomorrow night when we get home.

Hopefully, he will be home. But, either way, I'll give ya an update/

thanks for your support

left

 

[leftcoast]

I'll be waiting to read your report!

Hey Adnoid:

I really enjoyed our discussions.

Your expertise related to air navigation was priceless.

Adnoid: As you know, my buddy and I live in Oregon, home of the Spruce Goose. Trust me, we never agree on anything, except for the Cooper case, and the Spruce Goose.

We both agree that the Spruce Goose did not have sufficient power to fly, and my buddy thinks that the one time Hughes did take the plane up to, I believe it was 70 or so feet, for almost a minute, but that it was really ground effect. HE states that ground effect is three times the length of the wingspan, which in the Spruce Goose case is close to 1,000 feet (wingspan is 320 feet or so). In addition, those 8 prop. engines only supplied 3,000 lbs of tourque each, for a total of 24,000 lbs. Plus, when Hughes took the plane up, that plane was basically empty, ie, no cargo, just a few reporters. etc. Compare the thrust with modern day airliners, and the goose was totally inadequate.

727 has three engines, total thrust 48,000 lbs, max weight 190,000 lbs.

I know the 767 has 50,000 lbs of thrust in each engine, for a total of 100,000 lbs, max. weight, 300,000 lbs, and that it can fly with only one engine.

777, two engines, max. thrust on new version 115,000 lbs each, total of 220,000. Max. weight on takeoff is 770,000 lbs.

What is your take? Plus, isn't there more friction taking off on water than with wheels on a runway? According to one website, the Spuce Goose had a gross weight of 150 tons, or 300,000 lbs. Wow.

Think about it, the Spruce Goose only had 24,000 lbs thrust for 300,000 lbs of weight. True, the Spruce Goose was only meant to fly at low altitudes, but, I just don't think it had the power to take off? What do you think?

so, do you agree with us, or do you think the Spruce Goose did fly, or what? Personally, I think Hughes realized the plane was totally underpowered, and he was barely able to get the plane out of the water. then, he knew with sufficient weight, the Goose was basically a "dead duck". Would love to hear your take. Even if he disagrees with ours.

thanks

left

By the way. Guess how many degrees the Spruce Goose flew at while raising from the water. You got it, 15 degrees, same 15 degrees that Cooper requested.

 

[j2mirish]

Good luck to you and your buddy lc, will look for a follow up of the "big" adventure-

 

[leftcoast]

Thanks Adnoid:

So, you basically agree with us.

Based on your comparisons, it appears the Spruce Goose needed at least double the amount of horsepower than it had. Not to mention the additional horse power which would be necessary to take off from the water, versus the planes you mentioned which I believe are regular planes, ie, takeoff on runways.

I understand, technically, it flew, but in my book, flying in "ground effect" is not flying.

I think Hughes had that plane at full power, and was hardly able to get it into the air, and he knew it was underpowered.

I think it was a shame that everyone, Congress, wanted his head. When you are an inventor, not every invention is going to work. Plus, isn't he partially responsible for advancing hydraulics?

I really enjoyed the movie about him with Leo in it. It seems that Hughes got more life out of his first 40 or so years, and then it caught up with him. Like him or not, he was an intelligent man.

thanks again Adnoid

left

 

[leftcoast]

Good luck to you and your buddy lc, will look for a follow up of the "big" adventure-

thanks, will post tomorrow night with results. I just hope he is home, he has been out of town for the majority of the winter. However, we have intelligence that he was scheduled to be back in town.

left

 

[heavenlydaze]

Darn it, don't you boys & girls DARE solve this! Some of us old chicks are still waitin' for ol' DB to come along and take us away to the Bahamas (or at least western Montana). True, he's not handsome, prol'y needs viagra...but what A SET! Winds aloft, boys, winds aloft...

 

[leftcoast]

Hey everyone

We just got back.

He was home,and we spoke to him for 15 minutes or so.

We were kind of caught off guard, related to what happened today. We are safe, nothing bad happened. We just didnt' expect something to happen, and like life, is was kind of surreal.

We also visited other witnesses and people assisting us with professional advice related to skydiving.

Mr. Cooper is scared to death. We have interviewed him five times now, and something happened this past week that rattled him. I can't discuss it now, cause it could ruin our case, and give us away. But, I will tell you this case is close to getting huge. Somebody big has picked up this story, and is trying to run with it. That is all I can say. They are interviewing all of our contacts, trying to get information.

Within one week or sooner, I will give you the whole story, and you will understand why I can't say more.

I just can't jeopardize the case, or our story at this time.

thanks to everyone for your interest, esp, Scandi and Adnoid for his expertise.

I promise the second that this goes public, and we can talk about it, I will give an update.

left

BTW: After what happened today, I'm 99.9% confident we have Cooper. No doubt. His reaction spoke volumes.

 

[scandi]

Hi Left, I have been thinking of you off and on all day long, and thought I'd check one more time to see if you had come. I am so glad I read your post.

To see you somewhat frazzled when you are so cool and collected had me sucking in a deep breath. If you just got back and it is so late, I am sure you stuck around for this reason and I will just wait to hear what ever the news is about what happened when you can give it to us. Whew!

Actually I am excited LOL because I am quite sure you have the goods on him and he knows it. He is going to have to try and make it work in his favor somehow. You know he is very clever Left. Remember the post where I linked the story of the two men waiting to go to court and DB completely schmoozed the judge and didn't have to go to jail. He probably still has some of that firecracker left in him. Old Dogs Die Hard, and he is probably one of the worst Dogs still out there that need to be brought to justice.!

Say Hi to your partner. So thankful you are keeping the faith.


Hi Adnoid, after reading your latest post I am in awe of you and all of your knowledge. To think for years I posted with you on the SP case, most often not sharing the same viewpoint, but enjoyed you nonetheless. I wish from the get go I had known more about you, because you are a very proficient poster! LOL Always good to see you Adnoid.

Happy
Easter Scandi

 

[curves]

Noooooooo! I wanted more info, I don't think I can wait!

 

[scandi]

I know and it is like waiting for something with baited breath! LOL If somebody big has learned about the story and is trying to run with it that must be a major media outlet, don't you think. Someone like Geraldi or Rita Cosby? Just thinking. The story will blow the socks off of America.

If he's scared maybe the FBI is back on his tail, or else if media somehow found him and confronted him, maybe they have threatened him with informing LE. Yes it sounds like someone else contacted him last week. I wonder how they found him?

It will be most interesting to see how this story comes about, but I just pray for Left and his buddy to have all the acclaim they should have to the story. I think channel 6 will protect them on that.

Scandi

 

[leftcoast]

Noooooooo! I wanted more info, I don't think I can wait!

And I don't want to end up dead.

I don't like being caught off guard, and because of what transpired this past week, we could have easily been in danger. Regardless, it is still a positive for the case, it is just that it took a few years off of our lives.

Anyway, to any doubters. I will share one more fact, maybe two.

The man who packed DB Cooper's chutes, is a man named EC. He is still alive, and I have interviewed him related to this case. Of course, when I told him we had been working the case, and may have solved it, he of course "laughed" at me. Who cares. Anyway, he was nice and shared information about the chutes, etc.

Well, this guy, EC, is as some know, a rigger, who would not only pack parachutes, but, he would make parachutes and sell them.

Mr. Cooper not only knew EC before the hijacking, but, had used his product in his plane as an emergency chute, as well as when he would skydive. Small world.

Don't forget, in Tosaw's book, the first thing Cooper did, was to pull out the "riggers card' from the side pocket of the chute, and examine the signature, who packed the chute, and the date. I know it doesn't prove anything, but, it is just another clue.

The FBI extensively investigated EC, thinking he was in on the plan. Smart FBI agents in Seattle, I must say. However, EC had nothing to do with this. IF only those FBI agents from Seattle had been assigned the case in Portland, this case would have been solved by the end of Thanksgiving weekend, 1971.

ps To this day, EC is still scared about the case. He checked out my call, making sure I was who I said. You see, that is why this case needs to be solved. All of these years, EC has worried about being looked at, the flight attendants are hiding, and the co-pilot is still pissed about this. The co-pilot, Rataczak is the only main player that we have not been able to get an interview with. HOwever, he never did see Cooper, and is friends with Himmelsbach, so, maybe that was a closed door anyway.

Think about this rationally. You are MR. Cooper. For 35 years, not one organization has asked you about this case. Two clowns start coming around, you think that you can outwit them, with your 'fake" alibi. Then, someone else, someone 1,000 times more powerful starts snooping. Wouldn't you be a little nervous?

Anyway, I did ask MR Cooper, what would you do if you were in our shoes? We have worked for years, spent a lot of time and money, and have solved the case. Would you go public? His answer:" NO, I think I wouldn't publish his name. After all, the FBI wasn't even upset with Cooper. THE FBI said that he never hurt anyone, and they just didn't want it to happen again." "PLUs, Cooper was "gentle" with the flight attendants.

My thoughts: Right!!!!! That is why Cooper was on the Top ten's most wanted. That is why the FBI sent 400 troops to search the lake Merwin area, and that is why the FBI even thought about draining Lake Merwin. Cooper's right, the FBI didn't care. LOL

To our detractors, don't you kind of think that statement is a bit strange. I've never heard a "hijacker" who was described as "gentle" before. Makes you think someone has a guilty conscious.

Wouldn't you have asked us, who is it? Is he still alive? Where does he live?

Maybe, he already knows the answer.

his comment last time we visited him was Cooper was probably living in a small town somewhere, "chuckling" about the case. Somehow, I think the "chuckling", is turning into worry.

left