Stuck Teenage Pilot and Social Media Influencer Suspends Legal Proceedings in Chile, Agrees to Donate $30,000 for Cancer Research
A Chilean court has temporarily halted legal action against an American teenager, a pilot and social media influencer, who has been stranded on a secluded Antarctic island since late June. The individual, Ethan Guo, found himself in this predicament after allegedly landing without authorization on a region of Antarctica claimed by Chile.
Guo’s ambitious solo mission aimed to fly to all seven continents and raise funds for cancer research. However, upon landing in the disputed territory, authorities accused him of providing misleading information about his landing site to ground control.
On Monday, the court approved a settlement between Guo’s legal team and prosecutors, stipulating that he donate $30,000 to a children’s cancer foundation within 30 days and depart the country. Additionally, he will be barred from reentering Chilean territory for three years.
Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisoto confirmed that Guo and his aircraft were still on Antarctic soil and would be required to cover costs associated with aircraft security and personal upkeep.
According to Chilean authorities, Guo filed a falsified flight plan from Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in Punta Arenas, traveling as the sole passenger and crew member aboard a Cessna 182Q plane (N182WT). It is alleged that during this flight, he deviated course towards Antarctica.
Guo’s legal representative has previously asserted that the young aviator encountered complications mid-flight. “While already airborne, he began to encounter a series of issues,” stated Karina Ulloa, adding that Guo claims to have been conducting an exploratory flight to determine the feasibility of the route.
Guo’s website indicates his objective was to raise $1 million for cancer research by becoming “the first person ever to fly to all seven continents solo.” Since September 2020, he has shared his continent-hopping journey with over a million Instagram followers.