Get you up to speed: Former airline boss accidentally sets plane on fire after breaking power bank rules | News World
Former KLM CEO Camiel Eurlings caused a flight to Curaçao to turn around after a power bank he was charging ignited in the business class cabin, setting part of the aircraft on fire. The blaze was quickly extinguished by cabin crew, and KLM confirmed that one man sustained injuries from burns, although it has not been disclosed if this individual was Mr Eurlings.
KLM has reiterated that power banks must remain in passengers’ sight during the flight and are prohibited from being charged while airborne. One individual aboard the flight sustained burn injuries, although KLM has not confirmed whether this was Camiel Eurlings.
KLM confirmed that one passenger suffered burn injuries, although they did not specify if it was Camiel Eurlings. The airline is likely to review its onboard safety protocols regarding the use of personal electronic devices following the incident.
What remains unclear — It is not known whether the man who sustained injuries from burns was Camiel Eurlings.
Former KLM CEO causes in-flight fire by charging power bank against rules
A former KLM CEO fell asleep while charging his power bank which ignited in his airline’s business class (Picture: RTL)
A former airline CEO set an aircraft alight after using a power bank midair against company rules.
Camiel Eurlings was travelling business class on his former airline, KLM, when he caused his flight to Curaçao to turn around over the Atlantic Ocean.
According to Nu.nl, Mr Eurlings, 53, had fallen asleep in his lie-flat bed while charging the power bank.
Witnesses reported the device suddenly exploded around five-and-half-hours into the flight, setting part of the cabin on fire.
The blaze was quickly extinguished by cabin crew and the plane returned to Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.
A former politician, Mr Eurlings led KLM between 2011 and 2014.
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Former politician Camiel Eurlings served as boss of the Dutch flag carrier between 2011 and 2014 (Picture: 2016 Getty Images)
He had previously served as transport minister and as both a member of the Dutch House of Representatives and an MEP.
KLM allows passengers to take a maximum of two power banks on board, which cannot be stored in hold luggage or in overhead compartments.
Power banks must stay in the passenger’s sight and cannot be charged in-flight over fears they may catch fire while the plane is at 35,000ft.
Pictures of the aircraft following the incident showed the window next to Mr Eurling’s seat charred from the fire, with the closed blind covered in soot from the flames.
Another photo showed his power bank and phone charger completely burnt by the blaze.
KLM confirmed that one man sustained injuries from burns on the flight, but declined to say whether this was Mr Eurlings.
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