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

[leftcoast]

KOIN just did a segment on the 5pm news about our story.

Mayfield gives up his alibi. Mayfield states the FBI called him three time that night.

Himmelsbach is shown saying that the fBI never called Mayfield that night.

and that Mayfield called them, 90 minutes after Cooper jumped.

So, one has to ask oneselve, why in the world would someone make up a story? Because he has been using that story for 35 years, and nobody, until us, verified his story with the FBI.

I'm leaning toward guilty.

left

 

[j2mirish]

Thanks

I really, really believe he is the man. I would never, ever, accuse somebody I didn't research for years, before accusing.

THe FBI never even had what they would call a 'good suspect". Some of their top 20 suspects could never even be placed in Oregon on that night. We did get much, much, closer than the FBI. Cooper was not a fool, and the bureau was caught off guard.

I agree, most crimes go unsolved. I'll bet 1 in 10 crimes is solved. Some go unreported, some victims are afraid to tesify or report the crime, etc.

left

and I do believe you-great work- this trhead caught my eye from the first post- been following ever since- the KOIN segment was great- hope you and your partner get lots of kudos and more from OUTING him-

 

[j2mirish]

He claims he lost his medical. I know better.

He actually was tried in court in the 80's for flying without a valid pilots license.

I know he broke at least two of the above.

Flying recklessly, dui's.

Plus, what about for stealing airplanes

Not to mention buzzing neighbors houses because they were complaining of noise from your planes.

The guy was, and is a bully.

those days are over.

left

ps Don't forget, he was kicked out of the Aurora, Oregon airport in 1969 because he was not following FAA rules, ie he was reckless and cutting off other pilots. He moved to Donald, and used a 8 acre parcel, and began feuding with neighbors over noise, and the government was shutting him down in Donald. Then, mysteriously, Dan Cooper shows up at the airport.Hmm.

geeze, do the 13 deaths that occured at his flight or parachuting school count? :doh:

 

[j2mirish]

You are right

We told this story, and our suspicions to that agent 6 years ago at a lunch.

He never called the FBI to tell them to check this guy out. He kept saying, I'm his best alibi.

We all make mistakes, but, it takes a man to admit to making one.


left

When that agent said that on the interview, it really set wrong with me- especially after you stated in an earlier post they knew each other, and cooper insisted on talking to HIM personally when he called in that night? what is that connection , LC-- ??? ( WTF )

 

[leftcoast]

When that agent said that on the interview, it really set wrong with me- especially after you stated in an earlier post they knew each other, and cooper insisted on talking to HIM personally when he called in that night? what is that connection , LC-- ??? ( WTF )

Hey J2, thanks for the kudo's

I don't know the whole story. I don't think the agent was in on the heist at all.

this is what I gleaned.

In 1969, H-bach had his plane stored at the Aurora airport. Our suspect also had a plane, and was teaching skydiving lessons and running his school at night and on weekends.

Well, our suspect kept on cutting off other pilots, acting like an idiot, etc.

H-bach called him on it, and eventually our suspect got in trouble with the FAA and was kicked out of the airport.

Hence, our suspect knew H-bach and that he was an FBI agent, and in charge of air piracy, etc. in the Portland oregon area. I don't think he ever forgot about that.

I'm sure it hurt his business, his pride, etc. to get booted from the airport.

Put on top, an armed robbery conviction, losing a job, getting a plane foreclosed on, and being broke, = Cooper shows up at the airport

that is my take on what happened.

H-bach and our suspect were not friends, but , knew of each other.

That is why he "specifically" asked for H-bach on the night of the hijacking. Suspicious, eh.

left

 

[leftcoast]

1) I didn't think about it that much;

2) Every story I heard emphasized that the money had never been spent;

3) Every story I heard emphasized that the hijacker had never been heard from again.

thanks

I can understand that. The FBI has always tried to make it seem like the guy died, so that others wouldn't try to duplicate the crime.

In my mind, actions speak louder than words.

The FBI continued to search for Cooper forever. They even dug up that beach when the 6,000 was found in 1980.

One of the agents on the beach that day, even admitted, they were looking for a suitcase, ie, insinuating that the money was hidden there.

left

 

[j2mirish]

Hey J2, thanks for the kudo's

I don't know the whole story. I don't think the agent was in on the heist at all.

this is what I gleaned.

In 1969, H-bach had his plane stored at the Aurora airport. Our suspect also had a plane, and was teaching skydiving lessons and running his school at night and on weekends.

Well, our suspect kept on cutting off other pilots, acting like an idiot, etc.

H-bach called him on it, and eventually our suspect got in trouble with the FAA and was kicked out of the airport.

Hence, our suspect knew H-bach and that he was an FBI agent, and in charge of air piracy, etc. in the Portland oregon area. I don't think he ever forgot about that.

I'm sure it hurt his business, his pride, etc. to get booted from the airport.

Put on top, an armed robbery conviction, losing a job, getting a plane foreclosed on, and being broke, = Cooper shows up at the airport

that is my take on what happened.

H-bach and our suspect were not friends, but , knew of each other.

That is why he "specifically" asked for H-bach on the night of the hijacking. Suspicious, eh.

left

thanks for the clarification of their " relationship"- I thought perhaps it was much more-

 

[Mountaineer]

In regards to hisl license being taken away by the FAA...I found the following quotes in an earlier post (post #522). It was a transcript of a 20/20 broadcast. Very telling quotes...

_____________________________________________________________


TED MAYFIELD I'm the victim of the heavy—handed
work of the Federal Aviation Administration. That's what I'm
a victim of.


TOM JARRIEL (on camera) How did he defy your
authority so long and so belligerently?

PEGGY GILLIGAN (PH), FAA There are some people
who just don't follow the rules. And Mr Mayfield is one of
those people.

TOM JARRIEL (VO) Peggy Gilligan heads the FAA
office that spent 20 years filing complaints against Mayfield
before his skydiving operation finally shut down.

PEGGY GILLIGAN We revoked his certificates. We
took him to court. We had fines imposed. We ultimately had
him taken to jail. And with all of those actions, Mr Mayfield
refuses to follow the rules.

TOM JARRIEL (on camera) So you want to get back
into aviation?

TED MAYFIELD Oh, yes, yeah.

TOM JARRIEL If you can.

TED MAYFIELD Once you're in aviation, any part of it,
it's really tough to get out, yeah. It really is. It's in your blood.

TOM JARRIEL He makes you look very ineffective.
PEGGY GILLIGAN We continue to monitor Mr
Mayfield. He is currently on probation and if, in fact, we see
any activities that he is not permitted to be involved in, we will
be back in court.

 

[leftcoast]

and he is a man of his word

He still has an airstrip, is constantly working on airplanes, has a couple airplanes on his property, and of course the hyperlite.

Somehow the FAA and FBI need to put their heads together and resolve this crime.

thanks for the information

I hope someone in the government takes a look at this. I know if I see him on a flight that I"m on, I'm getting off.

Talk about a guy who should be on the "watch" list.

left

 

[leftcoast]

Talk about motive:

The guy loses his job, is broke, and hates the FAA

Oh, then, DB Cooper shows up at the Portland airport.

Hmm, na, "he didnt' sound like a guy who just hijacked an airplane". Let's pass on investigating him, and concentrate on a "logger" who just retired at age 45 with no criminal record, no skydiving experience, and proof he saved his money. :bang:

left

 

[scandi]

Talk about motive, you bet! This has been a really interesting read this afternoon. I've slept most of the day away , but can hardly believe some of the things I have learned tonight. /every poster is on their toew and the proverbial cat is certainly out of the bag!

Mountaineer, that is incredible finding that post. Is Peggy Gillian still with the FAA? Goodness, I think someone should either talk to or email this gal, seriously. Email her a copy of the combined tape from all 3 spots, don't you think? Start with the FAA office in Portland. I wonder who the local head of the FBI is now in Portland? If, after all of this information has come out thru diligent investigating, a nationally affiliated TV station going out on a limb to name this guy and in the next breath use the word hijacker, arresting him should be a done deal!

Now that I think about it I think KOIN has been very careful not to use the word hijacker. They have used other words that imply that. Can't think too good yet, but kudos guys for digging in here today. I'll be watching the news though tonight. xoxox Scandi

 

[leftcoast]

Uneventful show

All they did was talk to a few skdivers who said that the jump was not that difficult.

KOIN also played a tape from searchers from 1971 who also stated they thought Cooper had escaped.

then, they played a tape where Teddy said all Cooper had to do was use a stopwatch and time the route, and land within a 5 mile pre-determined area. Which, by the way, can be walked in less than an hour to a phone or car stragetically placed before the jump.

tHe piece also has H-bach stating that Mayfield called the fbi at around 10pm

Mayfield claims the FBI called him 3 times, H-=bach said that never happened.

That was about it. Not a very good piece. I think after Monday, it would be hard to top

ONe more night, I think the main part of the story, ie, his identity has been established.

left

Ps I did find it rather odd that Teddy states one could jump within a 5 mile range based on timing a route.

Teddy told us there "is no way one could get out of that forest within a day after jumping". Funny how the story changes when interviewed by different people. TEddy's answer was in response to us accusing him of being Cooper, and knowing Teddy called the FBI at 10pm. Of course, Teddy didnt' know that KOIN was going to interview H-bach or us and get the whole story.

 

[leftcoast]

By the way, the story about the pilot saying he was flying by hand and was closer to the WAshougal is probably not accurate.

THe pilot never stated this back in 1971, but in 1980 all of a sudden he remebers where he was flying back in 1971.

In addition, the FBI used radar reports to guage where the plane was when Cooper jumped. And the FBI, Northwest Airlines, and the FAA all said the airliner was on v-23 when Cooper jumped.

My personal belief is that story was thought of "AFTER" the money was found in 1980. That story gave the FBI an excuse for finding some of the money on the banks of the Columbia river.

Now, H-bach's story is Cooper landed, was injured, needed water, walked 10-20 miles to the WAShougal River (why he didn't walk to Battleground or Vancouver is interesting) , he died in the Washougal river, part of the pack went down the 20 miles into the Columbia river, was washed another 20 miles to Tena's bar, where three packets came loose from the money bag, magically buried themself for years, and were found in 1980. (Again, H-bach doesn't think Cooper had an escape plan for when he wanted to jump, and a car or transportation for when he landed. HELLO)

Virtually impossible.

But, it explains in H-bach's mind why the money was found on the banks of the Columbia river.

I should note we have been to the WAshougal river. At some points, it is only two inches deep. It is extremely unlikely a pack or anything would make it down the Washougal.

I'm tired.

left

ps Why the parachute, money bag, briefcase, body, etc. have never been found has never been explained. Probably because the body is in Sheridan, the parachutes were burned, and the money found on the beach was either buried as a way for Cooper to make authorities think he drowned, or buried to be hidden, and he was unable to find the three packets when he came back to retreive the loot. Makes a hell of a lot more sense than h-bach's theory. Plus, Teddy said it was "insurance", why not?

 

[leftcoast]

Another thing

Don't believe the hype about the flight pattern being over some of the most rugged territory in the northwest.

Some of the flight plan is over forests, but, where Cooper is thought to have jumped has countless farms, ranchettes, and designated jump sites for skydivers.

Not to mention the area around the Battleground VOR, where everybody knows I think Cooper landed. That land is completely flat. AS is the land around the Vancouver lake, close to where the money was buried.

left

 

[Seeker]

Hi left, I still haven't been able to see the segments, but your posts brought up some more questions for me. I hope you will indulge me in answering them.

1 If he got away with it once, why do you think didn't he do it again in a different state to divert attention?

2 Didn't Cooper jump out of the plane on a night when it was raining pretty good?

3 Were parachutes back then made so you could direct your decent like the ones we have today? (I've never been so I don't know the right terminology)

Some of the flight plan is over forests, but, where Cooper is thought to have jumped has countless farms, ranchettes, and designated jump sites for skydivers.

Ok but is that now, or back in 1971? Wouldn't they know exactly when he jumped? By the time into flight and/or wouldn't their be some record of when the plane lost cabin pressure? I thought that's what the black boxes were for...

Thanks!

 

[leftcoast]

Hi left, I still haven't been able to see the segments, but your posts brought up some more questions for me. I hope you will indulge me in answering them.

1 If he got away with it once, why do you think didn't he do it again in a different state to divert attention?

2 Didn't Cooper jump out of the plane on a night when it was raining pretty good?

3 Were parachutes back then made so you could direct your decent like the ones we have today? (I've never been so I don't know the right terminology)


Ok but is that now, or back in 1971? Wouldn't they know exactly when he jumped? By the time into flight and/or wouldn't their be some record of when the plane lost cabin pressure? I thought that's what the black boxes were for...

Thanks!

Hey Seeker

The new show is now on KOIN's website.

HE didn't do again in a different states for a variety of reasons. One, he had close to 1,000,000 dollars in todays money.

And, skydivers dive in areas in which they are familar. He would have been unable to pull off this dive without assitance in other states. For example, how would he have gotten to another airport? who would have picked him up? how would he determine his dropzone? and he would have huge unexplained absenses away from Portland. Plus, he didn't know any FBI agents from other cities.

After the Cooper heist, the Feds were staking out airports, looking for the next Cooper. The heat was on.

2) He did jump at night, and it was rainy and a bit windy. However, it was in squalls. Typical for ORegon. It will rain hard, stop, and start. Not a huge problem for skydivers. Especially one with over 5,000 jumps. Look at the photos of the airplane while it was on the ground in Seattle. The ground was wet, but it was not raining at all.

that type of night is the only night you could pull this off. Do it in the summer, and everyone will be searching for you instantly, not to mention it stays bright until 10pm here in the summer.

3) Back in 1971, there were steerable parachutes. HE was a "rigger", and made and packed parachutes. personally, I think he brought his own chute onboard that night.

THe feds do know the exact time he jumped, 8:13pm,. due to the change in air pressure in the cabin. Exactly where on v-23 the plane was is not certain, nor does anyone know if he dropped straight down, or steered for a while to his car, or away from the flight pattern.

IF he died, he would have been found the next day, right underneath the plane's flight pattern. No doubt about it.

left

PS By the way, the cabin was not pressurized when it left Seattle. Cooper specified they fly below at or below 10,000 feet, and not to pressurize the cabin.

 

[scandi]

Reading back on all of these recent posts i can't get over how this guy has pretty much waltzed thru life getting away with what he wanted to do.

Those links from Adnoid were most interesting, and can't believe all they made him do was close the school and give him a very short sentence for two negligent deaths! I wonder how carefully these deaths were investigated, I mean like the old man which happened right after another death. Tragic, and Ted used the excuse the old man didn't pull the cord to the alternate chute!

I'm going to see last nights spot, but Left, I think what they pointed out about the phone call is really important to a case. I do agree with you that the FBI let the case go so people would think he was dead. And the thought he could have made it was then perpetrated by people as the mystery which in turn made him a folk hero.

Have you tried to call him again?

 

[leftcoast]

Reading back on all of these recent posts i can't get over how this guy has pretty much waltzed thru life getting away with what he wanted to do.

Those links from Adnoid were most interesting, and can't believe all they made him do was close the school and give him a very short sentence for two negligent deaths! I wonder how carefully these deaths were investigated, I mean like the old man which happened right after another death. Tragic, and Ted used the excuse the old man didn't pull the cord to the alternate chute!

I'm going to see last nights spot, but Left, I think what they pointed out about the phone call is really important to a case. I do agree with you that the FBI let the case go so people would think he was dead. And the thought he could have made it was then perpetrated by people as the mystery which in turn made him a folk hero.

Have you tried to call him again?

Ya Scandi, the skydiving deaths were one of the first things we learned about him

Who knows what really happened. THe guy destroyed video tapes of the jumps.

HE gets criminal negligent homicide and only gets 6 months in jail. Two people dead, six months. Horrible.

Scandi, he hasn't called us back

Others are trying to call him as we speak

This case is starting to go national.

left

 

[KarlK]

lol I should've read the whole thread before posting

 

[scandi]

Hi Left,

I've made some phone calls this morning, first to KOIN and talked to the news gal. Acc to her they don't do any marketing of their stories and there is no CBS cable affiliate for CBS. She said the best thing is to send a promo 'blurb' to the AP.

They referred me to Moda-Media here in Portland who makes copies of everythihg they have on the news. They sell transcripts, DVD, well anything you want, but you can't buy it from them and send it to a national news company without the approval of KOIN. So anyone who wants to run this story, CNN, MSNBC, FOX etc, have to get KOIN's approval before they run the story.

Then I called FOX News in NYC and talked to a gal. She said the best thing to do if you want FOX to have the 'tip' is to email them at their main website. They have lots of anchors so you can let them decide who will run the story, or you can specify someone in particular.

Since we have one spot left I'm thinking to send a mail to FOX with a link to KOIN's video would be a great way to do this, and possibly also a link to this forum as there is so much info here. That way they can see today's video on yesterday's show and then record the show tonight, which will be the topper, and I am sure very interesting.

I'm writing to you before I email FOX to see what you think. I wish I had a link to the first show's video as it was so excellent. Maybe you want to email them, as you are the one they will want to talk to. But I would be glad to do this as a 'breaking news' email, letting FOX know we think this story is right up their alley and want them to have first crack at it nationally! Then I would give FOX your names and tele #'s. Maybe you have already done this. Maybe you like another cable news source better! ;}

Let me know. I'm going to wait to hear from you before I make a ciggie run to the store! LOL