A MAN who allegedly taxied a light plane down a main street in Western Australia’s Pilbara region and parked it outside a pub has been charged.

Newman Police Sergeant Mark McKenzie said the plane had its propeller running, its wings removed and was being steered by foot pedals last Friday.

The man parked the plane outside the Newman Hotel and was then interviewed by police.

“It was a pretty stupid thing to do,” Sgt 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.

“People think it was a bit of a laugh but it was very dangerous and we’re not very happy with it.”

A WA Police spokeswoman confirmed a 37-year-old man has been charged with taxiing the Beechcraft two-seater plane through Newman.

“It will be alleged that he had just bought the aircraft from a private residence and was taking it home on the other side of the town, but stopped at the pub,” she said.

“On examination it was found to have an exposed fuel line hanging from the side of the aircraft attached to an insecure jerry can inside the cabin to enable the engine to run.

“On stopping the aircraft the accused left the engine in a potentially dangerous condition with the ignition on.”

The spokeswoman said the accused did not have a pilot’s licence and the roads were busy with vehicles and pedestrians at the time.

The man has been charged with endanger life, health or safety of a person and is due to appear in the Newman Magistrates Court on November 18.