A passenger’s belief in good luck turned out to be bad luck for hundreds of other travelers on a China Southern Airlines flight from Sanya to Beijing on March 6. The flight was delayed for over four hours after the passenger threw coins into the plane’s engine, hoping for a safe journey.

Coins pose a serious risk to aviation safety

According to the airline, the coins were discovered during security checks before the scheduled departure at 10 am local time. The aircraft maintenance staff conducted a comprehensive safety inspection and determined that there were no safety issues before take-off. The flight eventually left for Beijing at 2:16 pm, according to flight-tracking websites.

Throwing coins at the plane poses a threat to aviation safety and will result in different levels of punishment, the airline warned on its official Weibo account, a popular Chinese social media platform. The airline also denounced such “uncivilized behaviors” and urged passengers to respect the rules and regulations of air travel.

The passenger who allegedly threw the coins into the engine was taken away by the airport police. It is unclear what charges or fines will be imposed on the individual. The state media did not identify the passenger but reported that he was an elderly man who admitted throwing “three to five” coins into the engine.

This is not the first time coin-throwing incidents have occurred in China

This is not the first time that a passenger has been caught throwing coins into or near a plane for good luck in China. Similar incidents have occurred in recent years, causing delays and frustration among crew members and other passengers.

In October 2023, another China Southern Airlines flight was delayed in Guangzhou after a passenger was seen throwing coins towards the plane. In 2021, a flight from Weifang to Haikou was canceled because a passenger threw coins wrapped in red paper into the engine, believing it would bring good luck. In 2017, an elderly woman threw coins at a China Southern Airlines plane during boarding at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, claiming it was “a prayer for a safe flight.”.

Such superstitions are rooted in the traditional Chinese culture of worshipping ancestors and gods, especially before important events or journeys. However, they are incompatible with the modern aviation industry, which relies on science and technology to ensure safety and efficiency.

How can we avoid coin-throwing incidents in the future?

To prevent such incidents from happening again, some experts and netizens have suggested that airlines should educate passengers about the dangers of throwing coins into engines and that airports should install coin collection boxes or fountains for those who want to make a wish.

Others have argued that the authorities should impose stricter penalties and punishments for those who violate the rules and endanger the lives of others. Some have even suggested that the coin-throwers should be banned from flying for life.

Whatever the solution, it is clear that coin-throwing incidents are not only a nuisance but also a serious risk to aviation safety. Passengers should respect the rules and regulations of air travel and leave their superstitions at home.