Overview
- Speaking to Marca on the ninth anniversary, Ruschel recalled the pilot announcing a landing as the plane kept circling, the cabin going dark, an alarm sounding and strong turbulence before he blacked out.
- Rescuers later told him he was in shock, complaining of severe back pain with a large object embedded in his arm, and doctors delayed breaking the news of the deaths until psychological support arrived.
- He said a last‑minute seat change at a teammate’s request likely improved his chances, and noted the unusual bureaucratic hurdles the team faced to charter the LaMia aircraft.
- The 2016 crash en route to Medellín killed 71 people; three Chapecoense players survived — Ruschel, Jackson Follmann and Helio Neto.
- After intensive rehabilitation, Ruschel returned to professional football, including a high‑profile friendly against Barcelona, and he now plays for Juventude while urging greater recognition of what recovery required.