Airport staff check the engine of China Southern Airlines flight CZ380, into which an elderly woman tossed nine coins. (Photo from the Web)
(ECNS) -- Shanghai police have decided to forego charges against an 80-year-old woman who delayed a departing flight on Tuesday by throwing coins into the plane's engine for good luck.
The superstitious passenger surnamed Qiu tossed nine coins into the engine while boarding China Southern Airlines flight CZ380 from Shanghai to Guangzhou City.
The flight was delayed for over five hours while nearly 150 passengers were evacuated and the airline conducted a full examination of the engine.
Police said no serious damage was caused and all nine coins were found. Since Qiu is 80 years old and had no intention of deliberate vandalism, she will not face charges, it was added.
China's criminal law stipulates that those who sabotage trains, motor vehicles, streetcars, ships or airplanes sufficient to cause either serious threat or destruction would face imprisonment of three to 10 years. Some might even be handed the death penalty in extreme cases.
An insider said all coins were found before the plane took off thanks to timely reporting by other passengers, otherwise consequences could have been fatal.
