Former KLM CEO's Exploding Charger Forces Mid-Air Flight Turnaround

Former KLM CEO Camiel Eurlings caused a major security incident over the Atlantic Ocean when his unattended portable charger exploded and sparked a fire onboard a flight to Curaçao. The incident forced the Amsterdam-bound aircraft to turn around and return to Schiphol Airport.

According to Dutch media reports, the 53-year-old former executive fell asleep in business class while leaving his power bank plugged into an electrical socket, violating airline safety guidelines. The battery exploded roughly five and a half hours into the flight, igniting a small fire that was quickly extinguished by the cabin crew.

KLM confirmed that one passenger sustained minor burns during the incident, though privacy policies prevented them from explicitly identifying Eurlings. Eurlings previously served as KLM CEO from 2011 to 2014, as well as the Netherlands' Minister of Transport. Airline regulations strictly prohibit charging portable devices unattended during flights due to fire risks.