- U.S. influencer Ethan Guo's mission to fly solo to seven continents landed him in detention in Chilean territory.
- Guo was charged with providing false information to ground control and unauthorized landing, breaching the Chilean Aeronautical Code.
- Charges against the young pilot were dropped after he agreed to a $30,000 donation to a children's cancer foundation.
A 20-year-old American influencer has been stuck in Antarctica since June after a fundraising mission ended up with him being detained in Chilean territory.
Last year, Ethan Guo began a journey with the goal to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents. The trip also aimed to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research through St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Before heading to Antarctica, Guo flew his Cessna 182Q to North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe.
Why was Guo stuck in Antarctica?
On June 29, Guo was detained at the airport on King George Island after being charged with providing false information to ground control and landing without authorization, which are both breaches of the Chilean Aeronautical Code.
The code calls for anyone who lands on the country’s territory without authorization to receive short-term imprisonment or a fine, per CBS News.
Prosecutors said Guo was authorized to fly to the Chilean city of Punta Arenas, which is regularly used as a base for trips to Antarctica. The authorities stated that Guo provided “false flight plan data” and traveled to King George Island.
The influencer’s flight plan only included his landing in Punta Arenas, authorities said, per CBS News.
Chile claims ownership of King George Island, which is 75 miles off the coast of Antarctica.
Cristián Cristoso, a Chilean prosecutor, also stated that Guo violated “multiple national and international” rules that govern and regulate access to Antarctica and the routes used to travel there, per CBS News. Cristoso said the unauthorized flight posed safety risks for other air travelers.
Guo has stayed at a military base on the island since being charged; he was not required to stay there, but he was required to remain in Chilean territory. Because of severe winter weather in the area, there haven’t been any flights available for him to leave the island.
The influencer turned 20 during his time in Chilean territory.
According to CBS News, Guo was also prevented from flying his Cessna. On Monday, Cristoso said that Guo’s plane “does not have the capabilities to make a flight,” but further details were not provided.
What has Guo’s defense said about the charges?
Guo has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, and he has also posted about the situation on X as he has been stranded.
According to The Associated Press, Guo’s defense said the influencer was granted authorization to deviate from his original route between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, Argentina, and landed at Teniente March base in Chilean Antarctica because of “weather and technical circumstances.”
“My client’s actions are protected by a presumption of legality arising from the authorizations expressly granted by various DGAC (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) officials,” his lawyer Jaime Barrientos said in documents handed to the court, per the AP.
Barrientos said evidence was presented that showed Guo had informed the DGAC of the change to the filed flight plan as soon as he could.
Guo told the AP that during his original journey, he faced an “imminent risk of a crash,” due to encountering “instrument failures and heavy, unreported icing conditions.”
Charges against Guo were dropped
On Monday, the charges against Guo were dropped as part of an agreement with Chilean prosecutors and his lawyers, per CBS News.
Under this agreement, Guo is required to make a $30,000 donation to a children’s cancer foundation within 30 days to avoid a trial, according to USA Today.
Guo also must leave Chile as soon as he is able to, and is prohibited from returning to Chilean territory for three years.
The prosecutor’s office is also requiring Guo to pay all costs for his “aircraft security and personal maintenance” while staying at the military facility. He also must cover all the expenses for his return.
According to The Associated Press, Guo wrote that he was “relieved by the outcome.”
He is awaiting approval to depart from Antarctica, and is talking with his lawyer to see if he can continue to fly his Cessna. Guo also hopes to continue with his “original mission.”