Television presenter João Silva has shared a vintage television prank orchestrated by his father, Fausto Silva, targeting aviation specialist Lito Sousa, following Sousa's death.
Sousa died on Thursday, October 1, at the age of 59. The news of his passing was announced in a joint statement published on social media by his official account and that of his wife.
João Silva, 22, posted the archival clip on social media to pay tribute to the specialist and content creator. Silva opened his tribute with traditional aeronautical greetings, writing that Sousa should always be remembered for his lightness, his humour and his unique way of sharing knowledge. He described Sousa as a major reference in aviation who succeeded in bringing the world of flight closer to so many people in a simple and approachable way.
The practical joke was originally broadcast on the Sunday variety show Domingão do Faustão, which 76-year-old presenter Fausto Silva hosted for years on Brazilian television network TV Globo. For decades, the Sunday afternoon programme was famous across Brazil for its live entertainment, celebrity guests and hidden-camera stunts, known locally as pegadinhas, which routinely placed unsuspecting participants in bizarre scenarios.
During that specific broadcast, Brazilian country music duo Gian e Giovani were invited to select which hidden-camera segment would go on air. The musical pair opted for a stunt involving a mechanical bench that shifted and moved underneath people while they were seated. Sousa was one of the victims caught in the trap. His official channel, Aviões e Músicas, had previously shared the moment with viewers several years ago.
Aviation career and medical treatment
Sousa was best known as the creator of the popular YouTube channel Aviões e Músicas, where he explained how aircraft operate and analysed complex topics related to aviation. Over the course of his online career, the influencer accumulated more than 3.7 million followers on Instagram, establishing himself as a prominent communicator who answered public questions about flights, aeronautical technology and passenger safety.
His health became a subject of widespread discussion across social media after he was diagnosed in August with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The condition is an exceptionally rare and fatal degenerative brain disorder caused by abnormal prion proteins. It progresses rapidly, leading to severe cognitive decline, dementia and the progressive loss of physical movement.
Following his diagnosis, Sousa underwent an experimental treatment using a drug named ALN-6457, becoming the first human patient to receive the medication. The drug arrived in Brazil earlier in the month as part of an emergency operation organised specifically to support his medical care.
Tributes and legacy of the channel
In the wake of his death, friends of Sousa announced that they are gathering to keep the Aviões e Músicas YouTube channel running, ensuring that his extensive library of educational aviation content remains active for audiences. Sousa's son also honoured his father by presenting a floral wreath in his memory.
The clip shared by João Silva also brought renewed attention to the television legacy of his father. Fausto Silva, known nationwide by the nickname Faustão, anchored Domingão do Faustão for decades before leaving TV Globo. The veteran broadcaster has recently spoken out about his recovery following organ transplants, detailing his life after surgery and addressing the possibility of making a return to television.
