The saga of DB Cooper – still unsolved – began on November 24, 1971

A look back at local, national and world events through the Deseret News archives.

On November 24, 1971, a hijacker who called himself “Dan Cooper” — but soon became popularly known as “DB Cooper” — parachuted from a Northwest Orient Airlines 727 over the Pacific Northwest after receiving a $200,000 ransom.

His fate remains unknown, and his disappearance remains one of the most famous unsolved cases in FBI history.

The Deseret News noticed the hijacking on Thanksgiving Day and followed the case for many days. Incredibly, it was one of two hijackings that week in the western United States

“Hijackers escape; 2 chutes missing,” read the headline on November 25.

“RENO, Nev. – A hijacker apparently parachuted from an airliner after extorting $200,000 from North Airlines with a bomb threat, authorities say.”

Over the years, the cold case has heated up and cooled down in the hunt for Cooper.

Was he a Provo man named Richard Floyd McCoy who hijacked a Boeing 727, redeemed it for $500,000 and parachuted over Utah County on April 7, 1972?

Was he a college professor named William “Wolfgang” Gossett, who lived and worked for a time in Ogden and told his family he was the mystery man?

In 1980, a camper found some twenty dollar bills on the shore of the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon. The money turned out to be some of the $200,000 ransom Cooper was carrying when he parachuted. The bills have fetched high prices at auction over the years.

Reportedly, between May 1961 and the end of 1972, there were 159 hijackings in US airspace. In fact, three days after the unsolved Cooper hijacking, a trio of wanted men hijacked a TWA flight out of Phoenix and, after refueling in Florida, successfully commandeered it to Cuba, where the men were granted asylum by Fidel Castro.

Here are numerous stories from the Deseret News archives about Cooper, his legend and other stories surrounding the case:

“After 25 years, the legend of DB Cooper lives on“

“Cold DB Cooper case resurfaces“

“Was the ’72 Provo hijacker the 1971 DB Cooper? Utahn’s book says yes“

“FBI: ‘Credible lead’ surfaces in DB Cooper case“

“DB Cooper’s escapade is only unsolved American hijacking“

“Was DB Cooper a resident of Ogden?“

“The teacher named Cooper chose the wrong day to drive“

“The auction is set for DB Cooper money“

“DB Cooper’s chute may have been found“

“Tales of DB Cooper still arouse interest“

“DB Cooper cash is selling for 120 times face value“

“Was Provoan, DB Cooper connected?“