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I was looking at a cargo 727 and I was inspecting the Cooper vane. Pretty simple solution to a unique problem. I was curious if that was a mandate for all 727's, or simply for passenger opertations. I believe the airplane I checked out used to fly passengers.
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The DB Cooper incident was probably the main impetus for the latch, but I think it was decided that it was never a good idea to have this door open in flight so the latch was universally installed.
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Didn't they go out the side of the airplane in Cliffhanger?
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No, they went out the tail, with the tailcone off. They actually did a mid-air transfer from the DC-9 to the JetStar. The guy made it into the JetStar but was yanked back outside, slid along the top of the JetStar and had to release from the cable and use his parachute. No matter what he was paid, it wasn't enough.
greatest aviation stunt