American pilot Ethan Guo, 19, has found himself detained on King George Island in Antarctica while trying to achieve a remarkable milestone of flying to every continent. According to reports from Chilean authorities and CBS News, Guo was stopped after submitting a misleading flight plan that deviated from his original route, which triggered safety alert protocols.
Upon landing at the international airport on the island, which is home to various research stations, Guo faced immediate legal repercussions. Allegedly, his flight plan indicated that he would only pilot his small Cessna 182 aircraft over Punta Arenas, a city in southern Chile, without venturing further. Cristian Cristoso Rifo, a regional prosecutor, noted that Guo had violated two articles of Chile's aeronautical regulations, one of which could result in a brief imprisonment. Additionally, there are allegations that Guo breached the Antarctic Treaty, which governs international activities on the uninhabited continent.
Although the literal temperatures on King George Island in July often plunge below freezing, Guo remains optimistic despite the detainment. He took to social media platform X to reassure his followers, stating, "I'm alive everyone, I'll make an update soon."
The ambitious pilot has successfully completed flights across the other six continents in his quest, which has spanned over 140 days. Through this adventure, Ethan aims to be the first individual to achieve solo flights across all seven continents in a Cessna aircraft, all while raising $1 million for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. As he awaits the resolution of his legal troubles in Chile, millions of followers are closely watching his journey unfold.
Upon landing at the international airport on the island, which is home to various research stations, Guo faced immediate legal repercussions. Allegedly, his flight plan indicated that he would only pilot his small Cessna 182 aircraft over Punta Arenas, a city in southern Chile, without venturing further. Cristian Cristoso Rifo, a regional prosecutor, noted that Guo had violated two articles of Chile's aeronautical regulations, one of which could result in a brief imprisonment. Additionally, there are allegations that Guo breached the Antarctic Treaty, which governs international activities on the uninhabited continent.
Although the literal temperatures on King George Island in July often plunge below freezing, Guo remains optimistic despite the detainment. He took to social media platform X to reassure his followers, stating, "I'm alive everyone, I'll make an update soon."
The ambitious pilot has successfully completed flights across the other six continents in his quest, which has spanned over 140 days. Through this adventure, Ethan aims to be the first individual to achieve solo flights across all seven continents in a Cessna aircraft, all while raising $1 million for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. As he awaits the resolution of his legal troubles in Chile, millions of followers are closely watching his journey unfold.
