General Category > DB Cooper
Flight Path And Related Issues
JAG:
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Register or LoginThe first communication about the aftstairs was at 6:21 which indicated DBC wanted the stairs down after takeoff. It seems that all other evidence points to DBC wanting the stairs deployed at takeoff which caused the pilots great consternation.
Even in her post flight interview, Mucklow says DBC requested the stairs down at takeoff.
Clearly nothing definitive, but I’d say the preponderance of evidence points to DBC wanting them down at takeoff.
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The possibility of Cooper initially wanting the stairs extended after takeoff is I think a more recent revelation, it is in at least one 302 in part 64, see attached pic. But as far as I have seen and read, most of the documented dialogue between Cooper and the crew at this point in the hijacking have not mentioned this.
If it is in fact what he initially wanted, I am just not sure how much to read into it. It doesn't necessarily mean that he intended to fly all the way to Mexico with the stairs closed. Sure, it could be a tell or sign that the fact the plane now needed to land and refuel caused him to have to alter his original plan and get off of the plane ASAP because he didn't want to land again. But it also could just mean that he changed his request for a different concern, maybe he was worried that he or the crew would not be able to get the stairs open in flight and thought it would just be better to make sure they are extended before takeoff.
My bigger question regarding where he really wanted to jump is why not choose a flight and airport further south and closer to Mexico if that is truly where he wanted to go ? Why choose a flight from the Pacific Northwest ? Were there no 727 flights out of airports closer to the Mexican boarder ? Anyway, lots of variables, I am keeping an open mind, definitely not dismissing this theory. But I am still in the camp where I think he asked for Mexico first and foremost to get the plane flying south for a Washington state based jump and secondly to throw off law enforcement.
Shutter:
He said no stopping to Mexico...how would he expect the plane to get to Mexico in the configuration he requested..the plane can't make the trip in the right configuration..
Shutter:
Cooper was told both reason why the plane wouldn't make Mexico from Seattle, he was stubborn. I just don't think he was going to stick around on that plane. the biggest error is the failure to communicate properly about where they believe he jumped.
They were asked to go in the back and look but they didn't. then they were asking him to put the stairs up prior to landing when he was long gone. that gave him a huge edge if he survived...
Chaucer:
There is certainly contradictory evidence Re: the aftstairs. However, most principals agree he wanted them down in takeoff causing great concern among the crew.
At the end of the day, we don’t know because the record is confused.
Robert99:
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Register or LoginThere is certainly contradictory evidence Re: the aftstairs. However, most principals agree he wanted them down in takeoff causing great concern among the crew.
At the end of the day, we don’t know because the record is confused.
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After the argument between Cooper and Rataczak ended with Cooper agreeing to take off with the stairs fully retracted, Cooper is quoted somewhere as telling Tina that he knew the airliner could take off with the stairs partially down.
Cooper was apparently more familiar with the aft stairs than the NWA flight crew. This strongly suggests that Cooper had some prior connection with Boeing or some US Government agency or contractor.
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