UnderMiner
Silver Member
- Jul 27, 2014
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- Minelab Excalibur II, Ace 250
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- All Treasure Hunting
Just found this neat song about the world's most famous air pirate, D.B. Cooper.
In 1971 D.B. Cooper hijacked a 727 airliner and demanded $200K and four parachutes. With his money and parachutes he jumped out of the airplane and was never seen or heard from again. To this day his fate remains a mystery. Some say he lived, others say he died. Whatever the case may be Cooper has become an American legend.
His act inspired others and ushered in "the golden age of air-piracy" which lasted from 1971 until 1972. During this time there were a total of 15 pirate hijackings of airplanes. Some air pirates succeeded for a short time, but in the end all were either captured or killed. None could top Cooper's raid.
Like the pirates of the sea from the days of ole' the air pirates too lost and scattered their loot. In 1980, nearly a decade after Cooper's raid, Brian Ingram discovered 3 bundles of $20 bills which contained $5,800 in cash. Cash that the FBI confirmed was from Cooper's raid. Ingram went on to sell just a few of the famous bills for a profit of over $35,000.
Another story of air pirate treasure comes from the case of Martin McNally who in 1972 hijacked a 727 and received $500,000 in ransom from the US government. While escaping the plane he lost his grip on the money and it flew out of the airplane and landed in a nearby field. Martin McNally made it safely to the ground but he never saw his money or his freedom again. He was apprehended by the police. His loot was subsequently discovered by a local farmer who then turned it over to the authorities.
As a result of the pirates plaguing the airlines the US Federal Courts had to pass legislation to alter the Fourth Amendment. The alteration eliminated the right of American citizens to be free from unwarranted searches and seizures at airports. This allowed the airlines to begin the process of luggage checks and pat-downs that we are all now so familiar with today. And thus American freedom and air piracy was severely reduced at airports forever after.
Relics from D.B. Cooper:
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