Chapecoense co-pilot, model interviewed minutes before fatal flight’s take off
Sisy Arias was reportedly o her first commercial flight as a co-pilot. Photo: Instagram
Footage has emerged of the co-pilot of a plane that crashed over Colombia, which killed 71 people including most of the Chapecoense football team, speaking to the media before take off.
The Sun reported co-pilot Sisy Arias, a 29-year-old, part-time model from Bolivia, spoke with pride about flying the football squad to their Copa Sudamericana final in Colombia.
“One thing that is very important to know is that the team is using a Bolivian airline to take them to Medellin, even though they are a Brazilian team,” Ms Arias said from the cockpit.
“We are ready to offer the best service.”
Another member of staff, whose name has not yet been established, described the team as “a great team at the bottom that had managed to climb up and now they are in the final”.
“It is the second time we transport them. The first time was when they reached the quarterfinals. They are going with a lot of hope and with a lot of luck. I think we’ll return with good results,” he said.
Her brother said: “Dear sister, I’m going to miss you for the rest of my life, I have no words to express all the pain and emptiness I feel.”
Only six people survived the crash, three of them footballers from the Chapecoense side. It is believed the plane ran out of fuel, however investigations were still ongoing.
Ms Arias’ father and brother led tributes for their loved family member who was reportedly on her first flight as a civilian co-pilot.
Her father,Jorge Arias, a well known journalist in Bolivia, said: “I hope God will keep her in his glory. My girl, I love you, I loved you and I will always love you.”
The footballing world has shared in an outpouring of grief over the tragedy. Thousands of Chapecoense fans gathered at the team’s stadium on Thursday (AEDT) to pay tribute to their fallen team.
They gathered at the time when their team was meant to be playing the game they died travelling to.
