Columbian Plane Out of Fuel

The plane crash that killed Brazilian football players was caused by an electric failure and lack of fuel, a leaked audio recording has revealed.

17:41 01 December 2016

The plane, which crashed in Colombia killing 19 Brazilian football players and twenty journalists, had run out of fuel. Only six passengers have survived including the goalkeeper who had had one leg amputated and two other players who remained in a critical but stable condition. The team, Chapecoense, had been due to play at the final of regional tournament the Copa Sudamericana, their biggest match in their history. 

 

In a leaked audio recording, the pilot was heard giving a warning of a “total electric failure” and “lack of fuel”, which experts say explained the lack of explosion. Before the plane slammed into a mountainside near Medellin City, the pilot said he was flying at an altitude of 9,000ft. 

 

Investigators are still finding out if the plane was out of fuel due to a leak or because there was not enough on board. 

 

One of the survivors, flight technician Erwin Tumiri, said he was still alive because he followed safety instructions.

 

"Many stood up and started shouting," he said. "I put the suitcases between my legs and assumed the brace position."