A male passenger on a Virgin Airways flight has ended up in handcuffs after he allegedly ran naked through the plane and attempted to bash down the cockpit door mid-flight.
The incident occurred on VA696 between Perth and Melbourne on Monday, forcing the flight to turn back to Perth Airport just an hour after take-off.
‘A male passenger suddenly went bananas running up and down the aisle and bashing on the cockpit door,’ a caller told Melbourne radio station 3AW.
A male passenger on a Virgin Airways flight ended up in handcuffs, after he allegedly attempted to smash the cockpit door an hour after the plane had left Perth Airport (stock image of a Virgin plane)
‘Two air marshals had to restrain and handcuff the individual until the [flight] landed’.
The flight had already been delayed on take-off for around 90 minutes.
The caller explained that some passengers who were on board the plane got on another flight which arrived in Melbourne six hours later.
Some passengers are understood to have been left stranded in Perth.
A Virgin spokesperson confirmed that the incident took place.
‘On Monday, 27 May, VA696 Perth to Melbourne, returned to Perth due to a disruptive passenger on board,’ the spokesperson told Daily Mail .
‘On arrival in Perth, the aircraft was met by the n Federal Police and the disruptive guest was offloaded.
‘The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority and we sincerely apologise to guests impacted.’
The spokesperson confirmed that the crew on board the aircraft took appropriate measures to minimise disruptions and ensure the plane could land safely after it was diverted back to Perth airport.
Officers from the n Federal Police were called to the airport before the plane landed and it is now understood to be investigating the matter.
An AFP spokesman told Daily Mail officers arrested the man after he allegedly ran naked through the aircraft and knocked a crew member to the floor.
‘The man was transferred to hospital for assessment, where he remains,’ the spokesman said.
The man is set to front Perth Magistrates Court on June 14, however the charges he faces are yet to be determined.
A flight tracking website showed the flight arrived back in Perth at 11:45pm after the plane left at 7:34pm yesterday evening, according to arrival and departure records.
More to come.