A 19-year-old American, Ethan Guo, has been detained on an Antarctic island, disrupting his ambitious mission to solo-fly a small aircraft across all seven continents—a journey that has attracted over a million online followers.
According to CBS News, Chilean authorities arrested Guo after he allegedly submitted a false flight plan. The Chilean Civil Aviation Directorate stated that his unauthorized route change activated emergency alert systems.
Guo landed on King George Island, home to several international research stations, after flying his Cessna 182 from Punta Arenas in southern Chile. He was taken into custody at Teniente R. Marsh Airport when officials discovered his flight plan only covered the airspace around Punta Arenas.
Regional prosecutor Cristian Cristoso Rifo confirmed that Guo is now facing charges under two sections of Chile’s aeronautical code, one of which could result in jail time. Officials also noted he may have violated the Antarctic Treaty, which regulates human activity on the continent.
Guo later reassured his followers on social media platform X, writing, “I’m alive everyone, I’ll make an update soon.”
According to his posts, Guo has already flown across six continents in the 140 days since beginning his journey. His goal is not only to complete the global flight in a Cessna but also to raise \$1 million for cancer research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
