Who Was The Famous Plane Hijacker

Throughout the history of aviation, the act of hijacking a plane has been one of the most dramatic and feared crimes. While many hijackings have occurred, a few hijackers have gained infamous reputations due to the scale of their crimes, the impact of their actions, or the political causes they championed. Understanding who the most famous plane hijacker was offers insight into how this form of crime evolved, the motives behind it, and the responses it prompted from authorities worldwide.

The Origins of Plane Hijacking

Hijacking, also known as skyjacking, first became a global concern during the 1960s. Early hijackers often demanded to be taken to countries that supported their political or ideological views. These events shook the aviation industry and led to the introduction of stricter security protocols at airports.

Common Motives Behind Hijackings

• Political Asylum: Some hijackers wanted to escape oppressive regimes by forcing planes to land in countries where they sought asylum.
• Political Protest: Hijackings were sometimes used as a dramatic form of protest to highlight political struggles or demands.
• Ransom and Criminal Activity: Others hijacked planes to demand large sums of money or to gain other criminal advantages.

Among these hijackers, one name stands out for notoriety: D.B. Cooper.

D.B. Cooper: The Most Famous Plane Hijacker

Perhaps the most famous plane hijacker in history is the mysterious figure known as D.B. Cooper. His case remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in the United States and continues to captivate the public imagination decades after the event occurred.

The Hijacking Incident

On November 24, 1971, a man using the name Dan Cooper boarded Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305, a Boeing 727, from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington. Cooper was described as calm and polite but carried a briefcase that he claimed contained a bomb.

• Shortly after takeoff, Cooper handed a note to a flight attendant revealing the bomb threat and demanding $200,000 in ransom along with parachutes.
• Upon landing in Seattle, the airline complied with his demands, handing over the money and parachutes.
• Cooper then released the passengers and some crew members but kept several crew aboard.
• The plane took off again, and somewhere between Seattle and Reno, Nevada, Cooper jumped out of the rear stairs with the ransom money strapped to him.

The Aftermath and Investigation

Despite an extensive manhunt and FBI investigation, Cooper was never found. No conclusive evidence proved his identity or fate, which only added to the mystery.

• The FBI conducted one of the longest and most expensive manhunts in its history, known as ‘Norjak’ (Northwest Hijacking).
• Some ransom money was found years later buried along the Columbia River, but Cooper himself was never located.
• Theories abound as to whether Cooper survived the jump, his real identity, and what motivated him.

Why D.B. Cooper Became Famous

Several factors contributed to the fame of D.B. Cooper:

• Elusiveness: His ability to vanish without a trace made the story intriguing and legendary.
• Calm Demeanor: Cooper’s polite and unassuming behavior contrasted with the violent nature of many hijackers.
• Boldness: Jumping from a moving plane with a parachute was an audacious act that captured the public’s imagination.
• Media Coverage: The press covered the story extensively, turning Cooper into a folk hero of sorts.

Other Notable Plane Hijackers in History

While D.B. Cooper remains the most famous, many other hijackers have left their marks on history due to the impact of their actions or political causes.

Leila Khaled

Leila Khaled is one of the most well-known female hijackers. As a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), she hijacked two planes in 1969 and 1970 as part of the Palestinian struggle for statehood.

• Her actions brought global attention to the Palestinian cause.
• She became a symbol of militant resistance, though her actions were condemned internationally.

Carlos the Jackal

Carlos the Jackal, born Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, was a Venezuelan militant involved in numerous hijackings and terrorist activities during the 1970s and 1980s.

• He became infamous for his multiple attacks and was eventually captured and imprisoned.
• His hijackings often had political motives linked to leftist revolutionary groups.

Other Early Hijackers

• Many hijackers in the 1960s and 1970s used aircraft hijacking as a means to escape political persecution or to make political statements.
• Hijackings during this era prompted the creation of airport security measures such as metal detectors and passenger screenings.

The Impact of Famous Hijackings on Aviation Security

The dramatic acts of hijackers like D.B. Cooper and others led to major changes in how airports and airlines operate to protect passengers and crew.

Security Enhancements

• Airport Screening: The introduction of metal detectors, X-ray machines, and security checkpoints became standard worldwide.
• Hijack Prevention: Reinforced cockpit doors and protocols for dealing with hijacking attempts were developed.
• International Cooperation: Countries began working together to track and prevent hijacking activities.

Legal and Policy Changes

Governments introduced laws to criminalize hijacking, impose stricter penalties, and regulate airline operations to ensure safety. The famous hijackings helped shift the perception of aviation security from being a minor concern to a critical global issue.

The story of the most famous plane hijacker, D.B. Cooper, remains one of the most fascinating and enigmatic episodes in aviation history. His daring escape and mysterious disappearance have inspired countless books, movies, and theories. Alongside other notable hijackers like Leila Khaled and Carlos the Jackal, these individuals have shaped how the world views aircraft security and the lengths to which people will go for political, ideological, or personal reasons. Their actions, while criminal and dangerous, have left a lasting legacy on the aviation industry, forcing governments and airlines to adapt and strengthen their security systems to prevent such events in the future.