London, May 26 - An escaped monkey in a plane's cargo hold delayed a fight from New York's JFK International Airport for nearly four hours, it was reported here Saturday.

The animal managed to free itself from its crate inside the plane's hold before takeoff.

The monkey was destined for China for medical research, Daily Mail reported.

The animal was one of 50 to 60 others caged inside the Air China Boeing 747 originally scheduled to leave at 4.50 p.m.

Passengers aboard the flight didn't seem to be aware of the ensuing hunt below their floor.