Only 5 minutes after takeoff, at 7:42. p.m., the crew reported that the aft stair light came on in the cockpit. They were surprised. They had no idea the stairs could be lowered in flight.

     Headquarters assured them it would not interfere with flight performance.

   This was not the first clue that the swarthy skyjacker knew the Boeing 727 well. He had ordered them to fly back to Portland at 10,000 feet altitude at 200 mph with their landing gear down and flaps retracted 15 degrees. This was just short of the aircraft’s stall speed.

     There was no doubt now he was going to jump. 

     Two Air Force F-106 jet fighters were launched form McCord AFB and tried to follow the airliner, but due to its slow speeds it was impossible.

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