A China Southern Airlines flight from Shanghai to Guangzhou was delayed for nearly four hours on Tuesday, after a superstitious elderly woman threw coins into the plane’s engine during boarding. At least 150 passengers were stranded at Shanghai Pudong International Airport while ground staff checked and repaired the engine, according to a notice on the airline’s Weibo account. It said the crew called ground services for assistance immediately after a passenger spotted the woman’s actions and reported the matter to staff. 

It’s a Chinese belief that throwing coins into incense burners or fountains at holy sites during prayers brings about good fortune. However, quite the opposite of good luck could occur when such actions are applied to aircraft engines. In fact, the consequences could not only be disastrous - but fatal. 

Engineering staff spent hours thoroughly examining the engine. They found one coin inside the engine and eight others scattered nearby. It is estimated that the trouble and delay cost over a hundred thousand yuan. 

The 80-year-old woman has been detained by police for further investigation. According to China Southern Airlines, the senior citizen had applied to use wheelchair services due to her health condition and was allowed to board the plane via the gangway, where she committed the bizarre act of misconduct. A police report states that she has no mental illness or criminal record.