Influencer departs Antarctica following arrest by Chilean police after negotiating an agreement
In a landmark legal resolution, 19-year-old American pilot Ethan Guo has reached an agreement to leave Chilean-controlled Antarctica, where he was detained for illegally landing his plane without authorization and providing false flight information.
Guo, who was attempting to become the youngest person to solo-fly to all seven continents, was detained in late June during a flight from Chile to Argentina. A loss of radio contact and engine problems led him to divert to a remote island in the Chilean Antarctic territory.
Despite claims of explicit permission to land, Chilean prosecutors charged Guo with unauthorized landing and providing false flight plan data. They asserted that he had violated both national and international regulations governing Antarctica access and flights.
Under an agreement approved by a Chilean judge, Guo must donate $30,000 to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days and pay for aircraft security and personal maintenance costs. He has also been ordered to leave the Chilean Antarctic Territory and not return for three years.
Guo's journey began in 2024 with a plan to travel to 35 countries across six continents. His travels have included weather diversions, emergency landings, and tense encounters abroad. He aims to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research during his journey, inspired by a cousin's battle with blood cancer.
Despite the legal proceedings, Guo has managed to document his trip to over 1 million social media followers. He remains at a Chilean military base in Antarctica awaiting approval to depart and cover expenses related to his stay and return flight. Guo maintains his innocence but expressed relief at the case’s resolution.
[1] Chilean Court Suspends Charges Against American Pilot Ethan Guo
[2] American Teen Pilot Ethan Guo Faces Charges for Unauthorized Landing in Antarctica
[3] American Teen Pilot Ethan Guo Agrees to Leave Chilean-Controlled Antarctica
[1] After reaching an agreement, Chilean Court Suspends Charges Against American Pilot Ethan Guo for his unauthorized landing in Antarctica, allowing him to focus on his social-media-documented journey and entertainment-filled venture.
[2] American Teen Pilot Ethan Guo, who gained 1 million followers on social media, faces charges for providing false flight information and unauthorized landing in Antarctica, with implications reaching beyond general-news headlines and into the realm of crime-and-justice.
[3] Facing allegations and charges, American Teen Pilot Ethan Guo Agrees to Leave Chilean-Controlled Antarctica, contributing to a children’s cancer foundation while also meeting general-news and crime-and-justice requirements in a landmark legal resolution.
