An inconsiderate act by an elderly PRC woman caused the delay of a China Southern Airlines flight from Shanghai to Guangzhou for more than 5 hours. The woman allegedly tossed coins into the engine turbine as she walked up the boarding staircase hoping to be blessed with good luck.
Passengers who saw the woman’s act informed the flight crew who carried out extensive checks on the engine, 9 coins were found in the engine turbine. The woman who has limited mobility was taken away by the police.
The plane captain said that the metal coins if sucked up the turbine could have caused serious damage resulting in a catastrophe.