Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old pilot, has had the charges against him dismissed after being detained for allegedly landing his aircraft unlawfully in Chilean territory. Found on King George Island, he was on a quest to become the youngest solo pilot to fly to each continent while raising funds for childhood cancer research with a stated goal of $1 million.
Teen Pilot's Charges Dropped After Antarctic Detention for Flight Missteps
Teen Pilot's Charges Dropped After Antarctic Detention for Flight Missteps
An American teen influencer's legal troubles in Antarctica come to an end as he prepares to continue his cross-continental mission for cancer research.
Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old American pilot and influencer, has returned to the headlines as authorities in Chile dropped the legal charges that had kept him stranded in Antarctica since June. Guo made headlines last year for attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents while raising funds for childhood cancer research, inspired by his cousin's battle with the disease.
Initially, Guo's journey took a wrong turn when he illegally landed on King George Island—part of Chilean territory—after leaving Punta Arenas with plans to complete his ambitious mission. Local authorities accused him of providing false information regarding his flight plans, leading to his detention amidst an investigation.
A Chilean judge's recent ruling dismissed the charges against him but imposed a $30,000 donation to a children's cancer foundation and a three-year ban from re-entering Chilean airspace. "I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight," Guo stated after the ruling. He had been residing at a military base on the island for several weeks due to severe weather conditions, even though he was authorized to explore other parts of Chile.
Guo's journey has already spanned over 140 days in the air, with aspirations to raise a total of $1 million for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. As he awaits permission for his flight back to continue his mission, his story highlights the dedication and challenges faced by young philanthropists in aviation.
Initially, Guo's journey took a wrong turn when he illegally landed on King George Island—part of Chilean territory—after leaving Punta Arenas with plans to complete his ambitious mission. Local authorities accused him of providing false information regarding his flight plans, leading to his detention amidst an investigation.
A Chilean judge's recent ruling dismissed the charges against him but imposed a $30,000 donation to a children's cancer foundation and a three-year ban from re-entering Chilean airspace. "I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight," Guo stated after the ruling. He had been residing at a military base on the island for several weeks due to severe weather conditions, even though he was authorized to explore other parts of Chile.
Guo's journey has already spanned over 140 days in the air, with aspirations to raise a total of $1 million for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. As he awaits permission for his flight back to continue his mission, his story highlights the dedication and challenges faced by young philanthropists in aviation.
