The incident occurred on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao
Credit: Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Former KLM CEO Camiel Eurlings’ power bank reportedly caught fire mid-flight, forcing the plane to return to Amsterdam while en route to Curaçao
- No injuries were reported and KLM provided accommodations for the 322 passengers after the flight was rescheduled
- Lithium-ion power banks of restricted sizes are allowed on KLM flights, but are known to pose overheating risks during use
A former airline boss’s power bank reportedly burst into flames mid-flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao.
The incident occurred on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight on Thursday, Sept. 17, per Dutch outlet NU.
Camiel Eurlings, an former chief executive of the airline, was on board when his power bank reportedly caught fire and exploded. The explosion caused the plane to be diverted back to Amsterdam. None of the 322 passengers, including Eurlings, were injured in the explosion, according to Dutch outlet RTL.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a KLM spokesperson confirmed, “During flight KL735 from Amsterdam to Curaçao, a power bank caught fire on board. The crew followed the applicable procedures and extinguished the fire.”
The airline added that the incident led to the crew deciding to turn the plane around and find other accommodations for passengers.
“Due to the situation, the decision was made to return the flight to Amsterdam. Passengers were rebooked on a flight that departed the next morning,” the statement concludes.
Credit: FRED DUFOUR/AFP via Getty
Eurlings served as the President and CEO of KLM from July 2013 to October 2014, Simple Flying reported. He was seated in business class and was allegedly charging the power bank in one of the plane’s in-seat outlets, according to NU.
Most power banks contain lithium-ion batteries, and several major airlines prohibit them from being charged or, occasionally, used at all, during flights due to the risk of overheating. KLM’s policy permits “15 electronic devices with a lithium battery up to 100 Wh with you in your checked baggage,” according to the airline’s official website.
PEOPLE has reached out to Eurlings for comment.
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