Flight delayed for hours

after woman throws

Delayed flights are an absolute nightmare.

But when your trip is delayed because a fellow

passenger has done something really, really stupid,

they’re even worse.

The 80-year-old, whose surname is Qiu, police

said, told officers she did it for good luck.

That’s what happened on Tuesday in China,

where a plane was grounded for several hours –

because an elderly woman threw coins into one

of its engines.

Officials said she threw nine coins at an engine

of China Southern Airlines flight CZ380 as she was boarding at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

As a result, nearly 150 passengers had to be

escorted off the aircraft bound for Guangzhou

in southern China.

Even more frustratingly for the other passengers,

her aim was terrible – eight of the nine coins

missing the target, but the other nestled in the

engine.

In a statement posted on Weibo, China Southern

Airlines said: ‘A senior passenger threw coins to

the plane’s engine and delayed the flight. The

passenger involved has been taken away by police.

‘In order to make sure the flight is safe, China

Southern maintenance has conducted a full

exam of the plane’s engine.’

Police said: ‘After investigation the involved

passenger surnamed Qiu said she threw the

coins to pray for safety. According to

Qiu’s neighbour, Qiu believes in Buddhism.

‘The plane is boarding again for takeoff.’