Accused hijacker Matt Lockley was having a panic attack, court told

Lockley will learn his fate on December 12.

A Tweed Heads plumber's anxiety was so acute he did not realise he was knocking on the door of the cockpit on a flight to Bali, a mistake that caused a hijacking scare, a court has been told.

Matt Christopher Lockley has been accused of causing such a stir onboard the Anzac Day flight that the Virgin Australia pilot was forced to call for ground security in Denpasar to greet the plane.

Lockley, 28, pleaded not guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this week to interfering with a crew member, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of two years' jail.

His barrister, Chris Rosser, said his client was having a panic attack and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

He became anxious when he thought someone had interfered with his bag and flight staff were not showing enough concern, Mr Rosser told the court.

Lockley tried to go to the toilets at the rear of the plane, but when they were occupied he went through business class to and knocked on the cockpit's door.

"His anxiety was feeding on itself, and things just became worse and worse in his mind," Mr Rosser said.

"There's a possibility in his mind that that's the toilet door he was knocking on.

"He wasn't threatening anyone, he had no physical contact with any of the crew. When they said sit down, he sat down."

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Accused hijacker Matt Lockley was having a panic attack, court told