The plane crashed on its way to Medelln and 19 players, 20 journalists, 14 members of the coaching staff, seven crew members, nine club officials and two guests were killed. Only six people survived: three players, one journalist and two crew members. Ruschel was one of them.

The other players who were not on board are Moises, Nivaldo, Rafael Lima, Nenem, Demerson, Andrei, Hyoran. The coach's son Matheus Saroli also did not take off because he forgot his passport.