Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old American pilot and influencer, has had charges against him dropped after being detained in Antarctica. He initially faced allegations of illegal landing and providing false flight information during his quest to fly solo across all seven continents for cancer research. Following a judge's decision, he must pay a donation to a children's cancer charity and is banned from returning to Chile for three years.
Charges Dropped for Teen Pilot Detained in Antarctica
Charges Dropped for Teen Pilot Detained in Antarctica
Teen pilot Ethan Guo can leave Antarctica after falsely landing his plane in Chilean territory.
An American influencer and teen pilot, Ethan Guo, 19, is now free to leave Antarctica after charges against him were dropped. Guo, who had been stranded on King George Island since June, landed his small Cessna 182Q aircraft as part of his ambitious goal to solo fly to all seven continents and raise funds for childhood cancer research. He was accused by local authorities of landing illegally in Chilean territory and providing false flight plans, leading to his arrest.
A judge ruled in his favor, ordering him to make a $30,000 donation to a children's cancer foundation and banning him from re-entering Chile for three years.
Guo, who gained attention last year for his attempt to become the youngest person to complete this global flight challenge, originally departed from Punta Arenas, a city near the southern tip of Chile, before heading to the island claimed by Chile. After his landing, he was apprehended and detained.
Despite the charges, he has expressed hope for a swift departure; “I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight,” Guo stated to the Associated Press (AP) after the ruling. Currently, he has been residing at a military base on the island for over six weeks, hindered by inclement weather conditions from traveling elsewhere in Chile.
With 140 days already logged in the air, Guo aims to raise $1 million for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, motivated by his cousin's cancer diagnosis. His determination to complete this journey remains steadfast, despite the recent challenges he has faced.
