An American teenager's ambitious endeavor to fly solo to every continent has taken an unexpected turn with his detention on an Antarctic island. Ethan Guo, 19, was halted by Chilean authorities when he allegedly submitted an inaccurate flight plan before embarking from Punta Arenas, near the southern tip of Chile.
His Cessna 182 aircraft reached King George Island, part of Chile's territory and home to several international research stations, where even summer temperatures remain frigid. Guo's flight had triggered alert protocols after officials noted the discrepancies in his flight plan as he previously intended to fly only over Punta Arenas.
Chilean regional prosecutor Cristian Cristoso Rifo revealed that Guo has been charged with violating two articles of the country's aeronautical code, one of which could result in short-term imprisonment. Additionally, the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics highlighted that Guo's actions may have breached the Antarctic Treaty, which governs international relations in the untouched continent.
In a social media post on X, Guo reassured followers about his safety, saying, "I'm alive everyone, I'll make an update soon." He has already completed flights across the remaining six continents in his initiative, which has garnered attention from more than a million followers. His ultimate goal is to raise $1 million for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, becoming the first pilot to achieve this incredible feat.
