Lito Sousa, reference in Brazilian aviation, dies at 59

The pilot, aviation expert and influencer Lito Sousa died on Thursday (1st), at the age of 59. Nationally known by the Airplanes and Music channel, he had been diagnosed in August this year with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (DCJ), a rare, progressive and severe neurodegenerative condition. Information about the death was released on Thursday.

Lito, whose full name was Joselito Geraldo de Sousa, built a decades-long trajectory linked to aviation and became one of the main Brazilian references in the dissemination of information about aircraft, flight safety and the operation of the sector.

Diagnosis of a rare disease

The diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease had been made public in August by Lito's wife, Mila Seidl. The condition affects the central nervous system and causes rapid neurological deterioration.

Before the confirmation of the DCJ, Lito had publicly reported that he was facing prostate cancer and also underwent investigation and treatment of a condition initially related to encephalitis. With the advancement of symptoms and the progressive loss of movements, new tests led to the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease.

In recent weeks, the family was looking for experimental treatment alternatives. Lito received, with exceptional authorization from the National Agency of Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa), an experimental substance still in the pre-clinical phase to try to fight the disease.

Reference in the world of aviation

With more than three decades of professional experience in the industry, Lito Sousa worked with aircraft maintenance and operations before conquering great projection on the internet.

The trajectory in digital platforms began with Aviões e Músicas, initially created as a blog in 2004 and later transformed into one of the largest Brazilian channels specialized in aviation. In the videos, Lito explained technical topics in an accessible way and addressed everything from aircraft operation to aviation safety, accidents and curiosities of the sector.

Throughout his career, he has gone through companies and structures linked to aviation, accumulating international experience. He also became a private pilot and expert on human factors and aviation safety.

His work has won millions of followers and helped popularize knowledge that was previously concentrated among industry professionals. Lito also developed projects aimed at vocational training and helping people who were afraid to travel by plane.

Mobilization during treatment

After the diagnosis became public, family members, supporters, aviation professionals and industry companies took part in a large mobilization in support of the influencer.

In August, despite the limitations caused by the disease, Lito even released a message stating that he had hope in the face of treatment and thanked for the demonstrations received from all over the country.

The death of the specialist has repercussions especially among professionals and aviation enthusiasts, an audience that has followed for years the contents produced by Lito Sousa and the Aviões e Músicas channel.