Superstitious passenger throws COINS at plane engine to ‘pray for safety’ = 5 hour delay

Maintenance problems, fuel issues, airline glitches, late arrivals and extreme weather.We’ve just about heard them all, when it comes to common excuses as to why your flight might be delayed.

But we bet, you haven’t heard this one.

A pious 80-year-old woman delayed a flight from Shanghai after she reportedly confused a plane’s engine for a wishing well, triggering a five hour delay.

The elderly traveller launched nine coins at the engine for ‘good luck’, forcing the evacuation of 150 passengers as authorities examined the engine at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

They found a single coin inside the engine which was worth about 1.7 yuan, or 30 Australian cents – evidently not enough to ensure divine favour for her trip.

The woman, who was travelling with her husband, daughter and son-in-law, was taken away for questioning by officers, who discovered her motives for the bizarre behaviour on the China Southern Airlines flight.

“After an investigation the involved passenger, surnamed Qiu, said she threw the coins to pray for safety. According to Qiu’s neighbour, Qiu believes in Buddhism,” police said.

The flight was cleared for take-off after a five-hour delay.

Source: Superstitious passenger throws loose change at plane engine to ‘pray for safety’