Man arrested in assault on Pilbara plane

A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting a female flight attendant on a plane that was due to leave Port Hedland in WA's Pilbara.

It's understood the flight crew were evicting another man who was heavily drunk when the man, believed to be a co-worker, began arguing with them about 1.15pm.

He allegedly grabbed a female staff member by the hand before pushing her into the wall of the plane's galley area, police say.

She was bruised and sore as a result.

The flight to Brisbane was delayed for three hours.

South Hedland police charged a 46-year-old man from Broadbeach in Queensland with assaults on members of crew of aircraft, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.