Lucky Air passenger who threw ‘good luck’ coins at plane ordered to pay airline US$17,200
- The 28-year-old man was a first-time flier and admitted throwing the money in the hope of a safe journey as he boarded flight
- Service from Anqing to Kunming in February was cancelled and aircraft grounded while it underwent safety checks
Yixiu District People’s Court in Anqing, Anhui province, handed down the order in July, but it was only made public recently, when the court posted the ruling online.
Lu Chao, who was a first-time flier, admitted throwing the coins at the plane for luck as he boarded on February 17.
The flight – from Anqing to Kunming, Yunnan province – was cancelled after airline staff found two 1 yuan coins on the ground near one of the plane’s engines.
All passengers had to leave the plane and it was grounded while it underwent safety checks. Kunming-based Lucky Air had to arrange accommodation for stranded passengers and replacement flights as a result of the incident and incurred losses of more than 123,000 yuan.
Lu, meanwhile, was taken away by Anqing police and detained for 10 days on charges of disturbing public order.