A former airline chief executive accidentally set an aircraft on fire after using a power bank mid-flight, contrary to company rules. Camiel Eurlings, 53, was travelling in business class on his former airline, KLM, when the incident forced the flight to Curaçao to turn back over the Atlantic Ocean.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
According to Nu.nl, Mr Eurlings had fallen asleep in his lie-flat bed while the power bank was charging. Witnesses reported that the device suddenly exploded about five-and-a-half hours into the flight, igniting part of the cabin. Cabin crew quickly extinguished the blaze, and the aircraft returned to Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.
Mr Eurlings, a former politician, led KLM between 2011 and 2014. He previously served as transport minister, as a member of the Dutch House of Representatives, and as a Member of the European Parliament.
KLM Power Bank Regulations
KLM permits passengers to carry a maximum of two power banks on board, which cannot be stored in hold luggage or in overhead compartments. Power banks must remain in the passenger’s sight and cannot be charged in-flight due to fears they may catch fire while the plane is at 35,000 feet.
Photographs of the aircraft after the incident showed the window next to Mr Eurlings’ seat charred, with the closed blind covered in soot. Another image depicted his power bank and phone charger completely burnt by the fire.
Injuries and Aftermath
KLM confirmed that one man sustained burns on the flight but declined to say whether it was Mr Eurlings. The airline did not provide further details about the passenger’s condition or the extent of the damage to the aircraft.
The flight’s diversion to Amsterdam caused significant disruption for passengers, though no further incidents were reported. The incident underscores the risks associated with power banks on aircraft, leading to strict regulations across the industry.
