An intriguing anniversary is almost upon us: DAN D.B. COOPER, pictured left, hijacked Northwest Orient Airlines flight 305 and jumped out somewhere between Seattle and Reno, Nev., on NOV. 24, 1971, carrying a bag loaded with $200,000 in cash.

He has never been seen or heard from since, only a bit of the money has been recovered (pictured right), and the case has never been solved.

The Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, Wash., has a comprehensive Cooper exhibit on display until Jan. 5. But lucky you: You dont have to go all the way to Tacoma to see it, as several Cooper-related items are online at the museums website at http://tinyurl.com/washcoop, including the transcript of the radio communication between the hijacked flight and two airports.

And, if you do a search for DB Cooper on the FBI website (www.fbi.gov), youll find it also contains a great deal of information about what they know so far about the infamous hijacker. And incidentally, all of the photos shown are courtesy of the FBI.

Cooper most likely died from the jump, as no experienced parachutist would have jumped in the pitch-black night, in the rain, with a 200-mile-an-hour wind in his face, wearing loafers and a trench coat, Special Agent Larry Carr noted. However, the FBI has managed to get a DNA sample from a tie Cooper wore, pictured left, because he removed it before he jumped. Now imposters can be ruled out, and at least they can figure out who isnt D.B. Cooper.

The FBI hasnt given up on solving the case, though. Maybe a hydrologist can … trace the $5,800 in ransom money found in 1980 to where Cooper landed upstream, Carr speculated. Or maybe someone just remembers that odd uncle.

Elleda Wilson