A superstitious passenger delayed a flight for over four hours after throwing coins at the plane’s engine for good luck at a Chinese airport.
The woman, 80, tossed nine coins towards the engine when she was boarding a flight by China Southern Airline in Shanghai today.
She was detained by police following the incident, which forced nearly 150 passengers to be evacuated from the flight CZ380 bound for Guangzhou.
‘A senior passenger threw coins to the plane’s engine and delayed the flight. The passenger involved has been taken away by police,’ China Southern Airlines said in a statement on its social media account.
The statement continued: ‘In order to make sure the flight is safe, China Southern maintenance has conducted a full exam of the plane’s engine.’
Shanghai police bureau also issued a statement on Weibo today, confirming the incident, which occurred at around noon.
The statement said the passenger causing the delay was 80-year-old and her surname is Qiu.
Ms Qiu threw nine coins into the left engine as she ascended the stairs to go into the plane in the Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
She was reported to the airport police by other air passengers.
Eight of the coins missed their target but one got into the engine, airport police said.
The elderly woman was travelling with her husband, daughter and son-in-law, according to Beijing Youth Daily.
Qiu was confirmed to have no previous criminal records and no history of mental illness.
The incident was soon trending on Weibo and the police added in a statement: ‘After investigation, the involved passenger surnamed Qiu said she threw the coins to pray for safety.’
According to Qiu’s neighbour, Qiu is a Buddhist.
The plane resumed its route to Guangzhou at 4:53pm, four hours later than the scheduled departure time.
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