Ethan Guo, the 19-year-old American influencer and teenage pilot, has recently had charges against him dropped after being held in Antarctica since June. Guo's adventure began as a quest to fly solo to all seven continents, raising funds for childhood cancer research, inspired by a family member's battle with the disease.
Initially, local authorities accused him of illegally landing his Cessna 182Q aircraft on King George Island, which is Chilean territory, and providing false information about his flight plan to ground control. Despite these serious allegations, a judge lifted the charges, allowing him to leave for his next destination under certain conditions.
Guo had already reached six continents when he landed on King George Island, where multiple international research stations exist. After his unauthorized landing, he was detained, prompting a legal investigation into his situation. Following the judge's ruling, Guo expressed relief but remains in Antarctica as he awaits clearance for his departure, expressing hope that he can fulfill his mission soon.
Alongside the dropped charges, the judge mandated that Guo pay $30,000 as a donation to a children's cancer foundation and banned him from entering Chilean territory for three years. During his extended stay at a military base on the island, Guo has diligently prepared for resuming his journey, which he hopes will encompass a total of 140 days in flight as he works towards a goal of raising $1 million for St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
