Here is a report on Headly. this one didn't give the speed though....
Date: June 2, 1972
Flight Info: United Airlines Fight 239 from Reno to San Francisco.
The Story: A former Army paratrooper who was taking classes at Western Nevada Community College, the 22-year-old Heady barged onto the Boeing 727 as it prepared for takeoff. Armed with a .357 Magnum revolver and carrying his own parachute, he demanded a $200,000 ransom. Since the local banks were closed for the day, United had to borrow the money from two casinos. Heady collected the ransom on the airport tarmac while holding two flight attendants at gunpoint beneath a blanket flung over their heads; this tactic frustrated an FBI sniper, who was unable to identify Heady and thus held his fire. Once he had the cash, Heady ordered the plane to take off, but engine trouble prevented its departure. Undaunted, Heady asked for and received a second Boeing 727 from United. As this jet soared over Washoe Lake, Heady jumped from the rear door, clutching a canvas bag containing $155,000. (He left $45,000 behind, perhaps because it made the bag too heavy.) He dropped the money on the way down and suffered wounds to his elbow and chest upon landing. He was then arrested when he returned to his car at 5:30 a.m. the next morning; the FBI had wisely staked out the car, which was parked near the lake, because it had a “Member of the U.S. Parachute Association” bumper sticker.
Wonder why he thought it would be to heavy?
Snowmman wrote...
Slim, blond-haired. Held gun to head of stew. Used two hostages as shields when moving between planes. Pilot didn't know he had jumped till stewardess told him. (I guess she saw?)
It looks like 3 out 4 lost the money Bruce.....
Robb told me that he didn't lose the money on the way down. Rather, that was what he told the cops.
Here is what Robb told me: He stuffed about $180,000 stuffed into his vest pockets, and he couldn't fit the last 20K, so he slipped it into the stew's purse. As far as anyone knows, she took it, unless she gave it back and that detail was never released.
When Robb hit the ground he landed awkwardly and banged his elbow and a hip. He was using a reserve and thus was arched backwards as he descended. He pulled at 1,000 feet and had only 5 seconds to prepare for impact. He was surprised that he hit the tarmac of a local highway, so he tumbled backwards when he landed. Thus, he was hobbled. Plus, he was far from his car, as the pilots didn't follow his inflight instructions precisely. So, he knew he was trapped in the Washoe Valley. Hence, he buried the money. Robb later told his attorney where the money was buried, and used it as leverage with the court. Eventually, 155,000K was delivered to the cops in exchange for a lighter sentence.
The cops never corrected the public story. I suspect they liked it better that way. Further, 377 thinks that the attorney pocketed the difference between the 180K and 155K. Robb doesn't know, and at this point doesn't really care as he is satisfied with how things turned out for himself.
So, in actuality it's 2 out of 4 for Getting Away With It. Or rather, Getting to the Ground With It. (Robb and McCoy)
Yes, Lapoint and McNally didn't make it to the ground with their dough. No word on where that dough is...............