You are correct indeed!  Basically, considering the available information, Cooper probably landed as a no-pull within just a few feet of the Columbia River water.

The money location was about 10-14 feet above sea level based on some of the pictures of the agents digging.  And Ckret and others have suggested that it was protected in some manner until if was buried.  This would require a landing on solid ground for Cooper.

How high was the Columbia River surface on the night of the hijacking?  The surface was typically 5 to 7 feet above sea level with about a 1 to 2 foot daily variation due to tidal effects from the Pacific Ocean which was about 90 to 95 miles away.  And when did the river surface make it up to at least 10-14 feet?  That would have been the first time the money could have moved to Tina Bar.

Admittedly, the money could have moved downhill by water entering the Columbia but the highest land point in the Tina Bar area (between the river and the NW Lower River Road which was built on top of a levee) was only about 20 to 25 feet above sea level.

Maybe Georger has been able to get the 1971 to 1974 Columbia River water levels data from that obscure library in Montana or where ever it is located.

 

here is some nice pics of the intercom/phone/pa/cabin call for a 727 

I think it's only a headset. I don't see a speaker on it?

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here is some nice pics of the intercom/phone/pa/cabin call for a 727 

Is this a speaker system or headset?

No.   Also not "the...."  There were somewhat different versions over the years/airlines.  One version at least included a microphone.  This is a "flight attendant's panel" for the aft cabin flight attendant.  The handset could be used to talk to the cockpit or the fwd flight attendant, or to "address" the passengers.  The similar one for the fwd attendant did not have the aft entry and airstair lighting controls.

here is the description off Ebay...'

used flight attendant's P.A. system from a  Boeing 727 aircraft; it includes a Telex model HS-500 handset (P/N 63274-004). It appears to be missing a knob & a couple indicator lights. It is marked with "65-23594-3 MOD" which I believe could be the part number of the unit.This particular PA came from an Ex-United Airlines 727-22 built in 1969, and was located in the rear cabin.

So how did the crew in the cockpit 'hear' Cooper on the rear intercom - earphones or speaker or something
else, if anyone knows.

My 727 has the PA & passenger address on the overhead panel. I'll take a guess that they are linked to there headset. checking on it now.

Does show a Monitor Speaker OFF button. Im assuming that controls a speaker. Here's the rub. Cooper is alleged to have called forward during one radio exchange .... and was heard and recorded at the receiving end? True? People talk about it and wonder. Is there a recording of Cooper? If the cockpit crew was listening to the intercom via a speaker then I suppose a conversation with Cooper during a radio transmission ... could have recorded what was being overheard on the intercom (speaker)?

Much would depend on the quality of the radio microphone.

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