Stuff You Should Know SYSK’s Fall True Crime Playlist: SYSK Live: The DB Cooper Heist
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Sep 26, 2025 Join Josh and Chuck as they plunge into the infamous DB Cooper heist, a daring, unsolved airline hijacking from 1971. They dissect Cooper’s bold demands, the peculiar mix-up with parachutes, and the frantic crew response. Discover the unique challenges in the manhunt and the odd search methods deployed. With thrilling stories of suspicious suspects and modern forensics, they explore how this legendary case reshaped air travel security. Will we ever know the truth about Cooper's fate?
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Hijacker Enters Calmly With Note
- A calm, well-dressed man bought a one-way ticket and handed a note claiming he had a bomb.
- Flight attendant Florence Schaffner initially put the note in her apron and only later read it when Cooper insisted.
Parachute Request Revealed His Plan
- Cooper demanded $200,000 and specifically requested two parachutes, revealing intent to jump with the money.
- Asking for two pairs forced investigators to avoid tampering with parachutes and shaped the FBI's response.
Flight Attendant Trades Places With Hostages
- Tina Mucklow retrieved the money and parachutes and returned to the plane, trading herself for the hostages.
- She sat with Cooper until he instructed her to help lower the aft staircase for his jump.