Come Fly With Me

Come Fly With Me!

Ex Cops Heroics Keeps Flight Safe

Taken From Boston Herald Archives

March 21 1996 Front Page

Author: David Falcone

A courageous former BHA Police Officer saved a plane full of people from a raging "psycho" who threatened to kill the Pilot and down the jet, airline officials said yesterday.

William Kay 41, of Boston subdued a crazed Gary King of Phoenix, who allegedly began punching people in their seats and grabbing handles on the emergency doors, passengers and officials said.

"The guy (King) was a real psycho" said one of the passengers who

didn't want his name used." He was threatening people and said he was going to kill the pilot. I thought we were all gonna die, thank god for the guy up front

Enter Kay, the guy up front in first class. A former BHA Police Investigator and Suffolk County Corrections Officer, Kay was dozing on the flight from Phoenix to Boston when the ruckus began."This wacky guy comes up from the back of the plane-a stocky guy and wierd looking, wearing sunglasses-and starts kicking on the Pilots Cabin door" Said Kay father of two sons. "I thought he was a terrorist. He was yelling I'm gonna break down this door.

Kay an accomplished Frank Sinatra impersonator on his way from gigs in L.A. and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, grabbed king and forced him into submission and into a seat.

"I told him I was a Cop and started to talk to him, trying to calm him down", Kay

said "He was ranting how the pilot was an actor who pretended to be a plastic surgeon and messed him up.He kept trying to get out of the seat, so I had to forcefully hold him down for an hour until we landed. The Pilot of the Boeing 757 diverted to Denver Int. Airport, where the 179 passengers of America West Airlines Flight #68 landed safely about 3am yesterday, King was arrested and placed into custody at Denver County Jail.

Denver Int. Airport spokesman Chuck Cannon said King faces of interfering with a flight crew, which is a federal offense. Kay and the rest of the passengers finally made it to Logan Airport about 9:35 am "Billy saved the day" said John Anthony of Quincy MA, who was seated next to Kay on the flight. " It was scary. He did a great job".