Workers were forced to look for the thrown coins (Picture: AsiaWire)

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.

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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.

The 80-year-old, whose surname is Qiu, police said, told officers she did it for good luck.


Officials said she threw nine coins at an engine of China Southern Airlines flight CZ380 as she was boarding at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Eventually they were all accounted for (Picture: AsiaWire)

The flight was grounded for hours (Picture: AsiaWire)

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.’