KLM Flight Forced to Turn Back to Amsterdam After Power Bank Fire — And the Reported Passenger Was the Airline’s Former CEO

September 21, 2026 Team Contributor

A power bank fire in the Business Class cabin aboard KLM flight KL735 forced it to retrace its path over the Atlantic, returning to the airport it had just left.

The incident involved a long-haul flight from Amsterdam Schiphol to Curaçao on September 17. Aviation incident and flight-tracking reports say it carried 322 passengers and departed Amsterdam later than scheduled.

What actually happened and what’s interesting?

What’s really interesting is who was involved and the nature of the incident. Dutch media report that the device belonged to Camiel Eurlings, KLM’s former president and CEO, and that it was reportedly charging when it suddenly caught fire, scaring passengers in the cabin.

However, KLM itself has not confirmed the passenger’s identity, citing privacy reasons.

Passengers seated there heard a sudden loud bang followed almost immediately by flames rising above the seat. The aircraft had been airborne for several hours (more than 5.5 hours) when the power bank overheated and caught fire.

The cabin crew reacted quickly and extinguished the fire. The incident nevertheless caused visible damage around the affected Business Class seat, including scorching around the window/sidewall area. Dutch media reported that he suffered minor injuries.

The second interesting fact. For those who follow aviation news, this would feel like a repeat of an incident last year. Surprisingly, in August 2025, KLM flight KL792, travelling from São Paulo to Amsterdam, encountered a similar power-bank incident. The difference?

The crew handled the situation successfully, and the aircraft continued to Amsterdam rather than diverting. Another KLM cabin incident involving a power bank within just over a year is something unheard of. Let us know if you have heard of such a striking occurrence.

An ordeal for the rest onboard

For the 322 passengers, their plans fell apart. No one expected it, and that too because of a battery issue in the cabin. KLM arranged overnight accommodation, and passengers continued their journey to Curaçao on another aircraft the following day.

The KLM incident timing

The KLM incident comes just months after new international restrictions on power banks took effect.

On March 27, 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) introduced new provisions specifically addressing passenger power banks.

The changes:

• limit passengers to two power banks;
• prohibit passengers from recharging power banks during flight;
• separately identify power banks from other spare batteries in the dangerous-goods framework.

ICAO said it had introduced the changes in response to emerging safety concerns surrounding lithium-battery-powered devices in aircraft cabins.

IATA later issued guidance to operators on implementing the new ICAO requirements.

Some tips for travellers carrying such devices

It’s wise to know the rules and some easy-to-follow tips before traveling to avoid issues on board.

• Keep your power bank in your carry-on. Don’t put it into checked luggage.
• Keep it accessible. Airline rules increasingly require power banks to remain with the passenger rather than in an overhead compartment.
• Don’t charge the power bank during the flight. This is now specifically prohibited under the new ICAO provisions and by KLM’s own rules.
• Check the capacity before travelling. KLM, like many airlines, applies watt-hour limits. Don’t assume that a power bank sold for everyday consumer use is automatically acceptable on every flight.
• Don’t travel with a damaged or recalled battery. Don’t take a swollen, cracked, leaking, or otherwise damaged lithium battery onboard. KLM explicitly warns against carrying damaged, defective, or recalled batteries.
• And don’t assume the rules are optional because the device is small. That may be the simplest lesson from this particular flight.

Having a power bank in your carry-on is one thing. What you do with it once you are on the aircraft is another. Stay safe, keep others safe.

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