Chinese woman delays flight after throwing coins into plane engine for luck

A flight in China was delayed for over five hours after an elderly woman threw coins into the aircraft’s engine for good luck.

 

A superstitious elderly passenger delayed a China Southern Airlines flight in Shanghai after throwing coins at the engine for good luck.

 

According to the police report, of the nine coins the woman threw, only one hit its intended target. However, this was still enough to force the evacuation of all 150 passengers for over five hours.

 

The woman in her 80s said she launched the coins as she “prayed for safety.” She identifies herself as a Buddhist who, like many of the faith, put a lot of emphasis in good luck.

 

The offender, who was travelling with her husband, daughter and son-in-law, was taken away for questioning by police officers. She will not face charges.

 

China have seen several peculiar safety incidents in recent years, including opening emergency doors whilst the plane is on the runway and assaulting cabin crew. In 2015, the Chinese government responded by creating a black list, with offenders banned from air travel.