VN243 was scheduled to leave at 8 a.m. But as the aircraft taxied to the runway for takeoff, a flight attendant found a man, whose identity has not been disclosed, using a lighter.

On being discovered, he quickly doused the flame and no damage was caused to the aircraft, Vietnam Airlines said in a release.

The captain reported the incident to the tower and decided to return to the apron. The flight crew handed over the passenger to airport security officials.

The flight then took off at 9 a.m.

Tran Hoai Phuong, director of the Northern Airport Authority, said the type of lighter the passenger carried was not banned aboard aircraft, but using it on the plane posed a safety threat.

Flammable liquids and solids such as lighter fuel, “blue flame” or “cigar” lighters are banned aboard aircraft.