Ethan Guo, 19, has been detained by Chilean authorities on King George Island, facing charges for submitting a false flight plan during his record-breaking journey.
American Teen Pilot Detained in Antarctica Following False Flight Plan
American Teen Pilot Detained in Antarctica Following False Flight Plan
An American teenager's adventure to fly across all continents faces turbulence after being stopped in Antarctica.
An American teenager, Ethan Guo, has made headlines after being detained by Chilean authorities on King George Island in Antarctica. Guo, 19, is on a quest to fly his small Cessna 182 aircraft to every continent—a goal that has garnered the attention of over a million followers online. However, the young pilot's journey met a significant hurdle when his flight plan was questioned by local authorities who noted he had deviated from the original submission.
According to the Chilean General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, Guo's alteration of his flight plan triggered alert protocols. This led to his detainment at Teniente R. Marsh airport after he landed on the icy island known for accommodating a number of international research stations. Reports indicate that Guo’s flight originally commenced from the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas, with the intention of exploring the island. However, Guo had allegedly not informed authorities he intended to go further than Punta Arenas, which could have strategic repercussions in the area.
The regional prosecutor, Cristian Cristoso Rifo, shared details on the charges pressed against Guo, which include alleged violations of two articles of Chile's aeronautical code. These charges hold the potential for short-term imprisonment. Notably, Guo is also accused of breaching the Antarctic Treaty, an international agreement that governs activities on the continent and aims to preserve its demilitarized and scientific nature.
Despite the challenges he now faces, Guo took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to reassure his followers, stating, "I'm alive everyone, I'll make an update soon." His transcontinental adventure spans over 140 days, and he has successfully completed flights across six continents thus far. In addition to setting a potential world record, Guo's mission is driven by a charitable cause, as he aims to raise $1 million for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
While his future remains uncertain, the story of Ethan Guo highlights both the allure of adventure and the complexities of international regulations in fragile environments like Antarctica.
