A West Australian man will face court today accused of stripping naked and assaulting an airline crew member on board a Melbourne-bound flight, forcing the plane to turn around.
The 32-year-old was on board a Perth to Melbourne flight on May 27 when cabin crew say he began removing his clothes and then assaulted a crew member.
Airline staff notified the Australian Federal Police and the plane returned to Perth Domestic Airport, where AFP officers were waiting to board the plane.
Officers removed the man from the flight and he was arrested and taken for a mental health assessment.
He was charged via summons with one count of assaulting an aircraft crew member and one count of offensive or disorderly behaviour on an aircraft.
The assault offence carries a maximum 10 year jail term.
AFP Perth Airport Police Commander Peter Hatch said he had zero tolerance for disruptive or criminal behaviour on board aeroplanes.
“The safety and wellbeing of all travellers and workers is paramount,” Superintendent Hatch said.
“Particularly when people are confined during a flight, they expect to feel safe and not be subjected to aggressive or violent behaviour.”
