A KLM flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao was forced to turn back over the Atlantic after a power bank caught fire during the journey, with passengers alleging it belonged to the airline’s former president and chief executive, Camiel Eurlings.
The Boeing 777-300ER had been flying for around five and a half hours on Thursday when it reversed course and returned to the Netherlands. KLM said the crew followed the appropriate procedures and extinguished the fire before deciding to turn back.
A passenger told Dutch broadcaster RTL News that there had been a loud bang before flames erupted above a business-class seat.
“The bang was the power bank exploding and immediately catching fire,” she said. “The cabin crew responded very quickly and appropriately, and then spoke to everyone one-on-one and reassured us.”
The passenger claimed the device belonged to Mr Eurlings, who led KLM from 2013 to 2014. He reportedly suffered minor injuries and was said to have been extremely shocked after the incident.
“He feels terrible about the situation and all the inconvenience for everyone. He was very upset,” the passenger told RTL News.
She also criticised the alleged use of the device during the flight, saying it was “incredibly stupid”, particularly because Mr Eurlings would be expected to know the rules.
KLM did not confirm the former chief executive’s identity, saying: “For privacy reasons, we never disclose who is on board our aircraft or who is involved in specific incidents.”
Photographs circulating on social media appeared to show a cracked and blackened window beside the business-class seat. The passengers were rebooked on another flight, which left on Friday morning.
KLM rules on power banks
KLM permits passengers to carry electronic devices containing lithium batteries rated at 100 watts or less. However, the airline says power banks must not be used or charged during a flight and must be kept with the passenger rather than placed in an overhead locker.
Virtually all modern power banks contain lithium batteries, which can overheat and cause heavy smoke or fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Mr Eurlings previously served in the executive branch of the Dutch government and later became an executive vice-president at Air France-KLM. He now works as a partner at the investment company Knighthood Global Limited.
