United Airlines pilot attacks parking gate with ax: video

A United Airlines pilot was caught in shocking video attacking a parking arm at Denver International Airport with an ax — later telling authorities he “just hit his breaking point.”

Kenneth Henderson Jones, 63, is seen in Colorado walking toward the exit gate of an employee parking lot clutching the full-size ax on Aug. 2, according to CBS News Colorado, which obtained the footage.

The unhinged pilot then whacks the lowered arm 23 times until it falls off as a car is seen entering the lot to his left.

The video then cuts to an airport worker trying to wrest the ax from Jones, who holds on to it before another employee arrives and helps his colleague disarm him. Airport police finally arrested him nearby.

Airport officials described the wild incident as a “physical struggle” with no injuries, according to the outlet.

Jones was charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief.


Pilot strikes parking lot arm with an ax
United pilot Kenneth Henderson Jones, 63, is seen striking a parking lot arm with an ax at Denver International Airport.
CBS

Pilot struggles with airport worker
An airport worker tries to wrest the ax away from the pilot.;
CBS

Pilot after he was disarmed
Another employee arrives to help disarm Jones.
CBS

He told Adams County sheriff’s deputies that “he just hit his breaking point,” the CBS station said.

He also said he was trying to leave but he estimated there were six vehicles in line at each of the three gates — and “was trying to get rid of issues for everyone waiting.”

Airport administrators reportedly said there have been issues at the lot with employees who don’t have the proper permits.  


Police arresting the pilot
Airport police arrested Jones in a nearby field.
CBS

Airline spokesman Russel Carlton told CBS Colorado that Jones “was removed from the schedule and is on leave while United conducts an internal investigation.”


Kenneth Henderson Jones
Jones was charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief.
CBS

The pilot — who is rated to fly Boeing 767s and 757s, according to FAA records — did not respond to the outlet’s requests for comment.

He is scheduled to appear in Adams County Court on Sept. 25.