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A man has been charged by police amid claims he put people's safety at risk when he drove an aeroplane along a main street to get to the pub.

According to reports in Australia, the 37-year-old had just bought the wingless Beechcraft two-seater and was on his way home when he decided to stop for a drink.

He taxied the light aircraft down the main street in Newman, Western Australia, and then parked it outside the Newman Hotel, leaving the engine running.

Police said he passed a breathalyser test, but was charged with endangering the life, health and safety of residents because the propeller was still spinning.

In addition, the man does not hold a pilot's licence, and officers said the roads were busy with other vehicles and pedestrians at the time.

Newman police sergeant Mark McKenzie said: "Kids were coming home from school. It could have been very ugly. All he needed was one gust of wind ... because without the wings, it's not stable,"

A bar tender at the Newman Hotel said the man, described as a "local character" entertained pub patrons by "playing dumb" when questioned by police.

Esperance police have launched a competition over Twitter asking social media users to come up with the best caption for a photograph of the plane parked outside the Newman Hotel.

"Best caption wins a Mars Bar and tour of Esperance police station. Thanks #Newman police for the chuckles," the station Tweeted on Saturday."

Newman is located in the Pilbara region, a thinly populated area in the far north-west of the country known for its Aboriginal peoples, ancient landscapes and mineral deposits.

The man is due to appear in court on November 18.