Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old aspiring pilot from the United States, has been detained on King George Island in Antarctica after allegedly submitting a false flight plan, causing significant complications in his quest to fly to every continent.
American Teen Pilot Detained in Antarctica After Flight Plan Discrepancies
American Teen Pilot Detained in Antarctica After Flight Plan Discrepancies
Teenage aviator's ambitious journey to complete solo flight across all seven continents faces major setback following engagement with Chilean authorities.
In a surprising twist, Guo's adventure took a dramatic turn as he faced challenges that halted his journey.
An American teenager, Ethan Guo, has found himself detained on King George Island in Antarctica, a location known for hosting various international research stations. This incident is causing a significant delay in his ambitious plan to fly his small plane to every continent— a project that has garnered the attention of over a million followers online.
Chilean authorities intervened after Mr. Guo submitted a flight plan that deviated from his actual flight path, which, according to the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics in Chile, activated their alert protocols. Mr. Guo was taken into custody upon landing at Teniente R. Marsh airport. Initially departing from Punta Arenas in Chile, Guo’s small Cessna 182 aircraft was intended to fly only over the southern city without venturing further, as stated by regional prosecutor Cristian Cristoso Rifo.
He now faces charges for violating two articles of Chile's aeronautical code, with one charge potentially leading to short-term imprisonment. Additionally, he has been accused of breaching the Antarctic Treaty, which governs international relations pertaining to the continent. Guo recently assured his followers on social media, stating, “I’m alive everyone, I’ll make an update soon.”
Prior to this incident, Ethan Guo had successfully flown to all the other six continents during his 140-day journey. His aims include becoming the first pilot to complete a solo flight across all seven continents in a Cessna, while raising $1 million (£731,000) for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
An American teenager, Ethan Guo, has found himself detained on King George Island in Antarctica, a location known for hosting various international research stations. This incident is causing a significant delay in his ambitious plan to fly his small plane to every continent— a project that has garnered the attention of over a million followers online.
Chilean authorities intervened after Mr. Guo submitted a flight plan that deviated from his actual flight path, which, according to the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics in Chile, activated their alert protocols. Mr. Guo was taken into custody upon landing at Teniente R. Marsh airport. Initially departing from Punta Arenas in Chile, Guo’s small Cessna 182 aircraft was intended to fly only over the southern city without venturing further, as stated by regional prosecutor Cristian Cristoso Rifo.
He now faces charges for violating two articles of Chile's aeronautical code, with one charge potentially leading to short-term imprisonment. Additionally, he has been accused of breaching the Antarctic Treaty, which governs international relations pertaining to the continent. Guo recently assured his followers on social media, stating, “I’m alive everyone, I’ll make an update soon.”
Prior to this incident, Ethan Guo had successfully flown to all the other six continents during his 140-day journey. His aims include becoming the first pilot to complete a solo flight across all seven continents in a Cessna, while raising $1 million (£731,000) for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
