Former KLM CEO Allegedly Sparks Onboard Fire After Ignoring Power Bank Ban
An incident aboard a KLM flight to Curacao forced the aircraft to return to Amsterdam after a power bank reportedly belonging to ex-CEO Camiel Eurlings caught fire.
A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight carrying 322 passengers from Amsterdam to the Caribbean island of Curacao was forced to return to its origin after a power bank allegedly belonging to former KLM CEO Camiel Eurlings exploded and caught fire mid-flight. The incident occurred on September 17, approximately 5.5 hours into the journey.
According to passenger accounts reported by RTL News, Eurlings was in the process of charging a power bank, a practice prohibited inflight due to the fire risk associated with lithium batteries. The device reportedly burst into flames, accompanied by a loud bang and large flames erupting over the seat.
Images and footage circulating on social media show ash on an armrest and a charred window cover with a spiderweb crack. KLM has stated that it cannot confirm the authenticity of these images. The former CEO reportedly sustained minor injuries.
Following the incident, the flight crew extinguished the blaze. However, the captain decided to divert the flight back to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where it landed safely around 8:40 p.m. The passengers eventually departed for Curacao the following morning on a different aircraft.
Passengers commended the cabin crew for their quick and appropriate response. One passenger, who was seated near Eurlings, claimed the former CEO was "extremely shocked" and "upset," expressing that he felt terrible about the inconvenience caused.
KLM has not officially confirmed Eurlings' presence on the flight or his responsibility for the incident. However, if passenger accounts are accurate, it would mean the former head of the airline disregarded safety regulations implemented by the company he once led. This detail was noted by other passengers, with one commenting on the perceived hypocrisy of a former CEO violating company rules.
This event is part of a broader trend of incidents involving power banks on aircraft. In May, an EasyJet flight was diverted to Rome after a passenger admitted to charging a device in checked luggage, which triggered a fire scare. Authorities continue to emphasize the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in air travel.