Sena, 36, lost four stone during his ordeal after search and rescue teams gave up the search for him (pictured after his rescue)

Antonio, known to friends as Toninho, fought back tears as he confessed: ‘The only thing that kept me strong and enabled me to come out of that situation alive was the love I have for my family, the desire I had to see my parents and my brother and sister again.

‘It’s a story of love and faith.’

The pilot was reunited with his family on Monday after his dramatic rescue and a brief hospital stay

 The tearful reunion with his family was broadcast on Brazilian TV before he was taken to a hospital for a check-up

He made a forced landing in a clearing after a suspected mechanical failure and managed to grab a rucksack with some bread and other belongings inside before the plane caught fire.

Toninho said he spent a week close to his burnt-out Cessna 210 while search and rescue planes circled overhead before leaving on foot to seek help when he realised the operation had been called off.

He was rescued on Saturday afternoon by helicopter after his chance meeting with the chestnut pickers, before his mother Rolene got the call to say he was alive.

 Toninho went missing on January 28, two days before his 36th birthday, after taking off from Alenquer

 He made a forced landing in a clearing after a suspected mechanical failure and managed to grab a rucksack with some bread

He was released from hospital after treatment for dehydration and minor injuries sustained during his weeks in the wild.

Locals have described his survival as a ‘true miracle.’

The sports enthusiast, whose helicopter rescue was also filmed, told a Brazilian TV station in an emotional interview: ‘My priorities were always to look for water and try to look for food.

‘I knew I was facing a life or death situation.’

 He was released from hospital after treatment for dehydration and minor injuries sustained during his weeks in the wild

Toninho said he spent a week close to his burnt-out Cessna 210 while search and rescue planes circled overhead

 He was rescued on Saturday afternoon by helicopter after his chance meeting with the chestnut pickers

Speaking of the moment he knew he was going to survive, he added: ‘It was about 3.30 or 4pm.

‘I was walking in the jungle and spotted a white tarpaulin which I pulled back to find a basket with chestnuts in by some tools and water.

‘I followed the trail until I came across the people who raised the alarm.’

 Toninho’s mother Rolene was telephoned on Saturday to inform her that he had survived the jungle stay

 Locals have described his survival as a ‘true miracle’ after he was airlifted to safety by a helicopter