A Virgin plane was forced to turn back to Perth after a naked man started running up and down the aisle and bashing the pilot’s cockpit door.

The unruly passenger also knocked over a cabin crew member as he caused chaos on the journey to Melbourne.

About half an hour into the trip, the plane was forced to turn back.

The Australian Federal Police confirmed they arrested the man when it returned to its departure airport in Perth.

A passenger told radio station 3AW on Tuesday that air marshals restrained the man to stop him from disrupting the flight.

“A male passenger suddenly went bananas running up and down the aisle and bashing on the cockpit door,” the caller said.

“Two air marshals had to restrain and handcuff the individual until the [plane] landed.”

Virgin Australia said in a statement that “appropriate steps were taken by the crew, in line with protocol”.

“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority and we sincerely apologise to guests impacted,” said the statement.

“The aircraft conducted a normal landing in Perth where the flight was met by the AFP.

“The matter is being investigated by AFP.”

The AFP said officers responded to a request for assistance from airline staff at Perth Airport.

“AFP officers arrested a man after he allegedly ran naked through the aircraft mid-flight and knocked a crew member to the floor,” the statement said..

“The man was transferred to hospital for assessment, where he remains.”

The man is expected to be summonsed to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on June 14.

The charges he will face are yet to be finalised.