A United Airlines pilot was charged earlier this month with a bizarre ax attack that destroyed a parking arm in an employee parking lot at Denver International Airport, causing an estimated $700 in damage. “He’s just hit his breaking point,” pilot Kenneth Henderson-Jones said, according to police.
A video of the Aug. 2 incident obtained by CBS News Colorado showed the 63-year-old pilot armed with a life-size axe. In the video, he chopped a parking arm 23 times at the exit gate of an employee parking lot, knocking it off the ground. Ms Jones then got into a violent brawl minutes later with an airport worker who saw what had happened and tried to take the ax from the pilot. The pilot handed over the ax only after another Denver International Airport employee stepped in and helped take it away. Airport officials said it was a “physical struggle” with no injuries.
Adams County officials charged Jones with misdemeanor charges. He is scheduled to appear in Adams County Court on September 25 for arraignment.
Jones has not responded to numerous phone calls, emails and text messages from CBS News Colorado. “He has been taken off the schedule and is on leave while United conducts an internal investigation,” said Russell Carlton, United’s corporate communications manager. Carlton did not provide further comments or details.
Federal records show Mr. Jones is rated as capable of flying large jets like the 767 and 757.
Ms Jones did not respond to messages, but Adams County Sheriff’s Deputies said Ms Jones told them, “He just hit a breaking point.”
The police report also said that Jones tried to leave but estimated there were six cars lined up at each of the three exit gates. Airport management said people were having trouble with the site because they didn’t have the proper permits. Lawmakers said Mr Jones said he was “trying to solve a problem for everyone waiting”.
Videotape from the airport camera showed police stationed at the airport arresting Jones in a nearby field and handcuffing him. The same video shows Jones later speaking to police, being released from custody and fleeing in a car.
Records show that Jones has never been arrested in Colorado.