AMSTERDAM: A KLM flight travelling from Amsterdam to Curaçao turned back over the Atlantic on Thursday after a power bank caught fire aboard the aircraft, reportedly injuring former KLM president and chief executive Camiel Eurlings.
The incident occurred aboard flight KL735, operated by a Boeing 777 registered PH-BVP. The aircraft had already crossed into the Atlantic when the onboard incident forced it to reverse course.
According to the supplied report, the power bank belonged to Eurlings, who suffered injuries during the incident. Details about the nature or severity of those injuries were not immediately available.
Passenger Says Power Bank Was Being Charged
A passenger seated near Eurlings reportedly witnessed the incident and said the power bank was charging when something went wrong.
KLM permits passengers to carry power banks aboard its flights. However, according to the report, the airline does not allow passengers to use or charge power banks during flights.
The precise cause of the fire remained unclear, and the supplied information did not indicate whether investigators had determined why the device caught fire.
Moreover, no information was immediately available about injuries to other passengers or crew members.
Boeing 777 Reverses Course Over Atlantic
Following the incident, the flight crew turned the Boeing 777 around rather than continuing towards Curaçao.
The diversion highlights the potential aviation safety risks associated with lithium-battery devices when they overheat or catch fire aboard aircraft.
Meanwhile, the supplied report did not specify how crew members extinguished or contained the fire, where the aircraft subsequently landed, or how long passengers were delayed.
Eurlings previously served as KLM’s president and chief executive.
Further information from the airline or aviation authorities is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and the condition of the damaged power bank.
A KLM flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao was forced to turn around over the Atlantic on Thursday after a power bank fire.
The power bank was being used by KLM´s former CEO and President, Mr. Camiel Eurlings, who was injured in the incident.
"According to a passenger who was… pic.twitter.com/FifYHoInH0
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