In October 1972, Nando and his teammates were traveling to Chile to participate in an international rugby exhibition, but their flight never reached its destination, tragically crashing in the Andes Mountains. In those two and a half months of frozen ordeal, Nando's life changed completely. His mother and younger sister, Susana, died in the accident. Nando made a superhuman effort, survived for 72 days, and managed to escape from the Andes, along with his friend Roberto.