Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old pilot and social media influencer, finds himself stranded in Antarctica following a controversial emergency landing. Guo’s journey to become the first person to fly solo to all seven continents took a dramatic turn when he faced harsh weather conditions and equipment failures on June 28, 2024. His plane, a 50-year-old Cessna 182, landed at King George Island, a Chilean territory, where he has since been confined while authorities assess his situation.
Guo’s ambitious expedition began on May 31, 2024, from Memphis, Tennessee, aiming to break the record as the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe while raising funds for childhood cancer research. Tragically, his cousin’s diagnosis of stage 4 blood cancer inspired him to support St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Initially, his plan was to fly around the world, but engine troubles sidelined him for over 70 days, forcing him to rethink his objectives.
After overcoming challenges in multiple countries, including a tense situation in Myanmar, Guo set his sights on Antarctica as the final destination. Departing from Punta Arenas, Chile, he intended to reach Ushuaia in Argentina but encountered severe weather that required him to divert. Faced with malfunctioning navigation tools and ice formation on his aircraft, he made the decision to land on King George Island, where he was met by Chilean officials.
Chilean authorities have alleged that Guo submitted a “false flight plan” and landed without permission, jeopardizing public safety. Cristian Crisosto, the Magallanes Regional prosecutor, noted that Guo’s aircraft did not meet the necessary requirements for Antarctic flights. He indicated that the risks associated with flying in the Antarctic winter are significant, and commercial flights are generally limited to the summer months between October and February.
On June 29, Guo was charged with violations of Chile’s aeronautical code, which could result in short-term imprisonment. His aircraft was also seized. Despite the legal troubles, Guo maintains that his actions were a result of an emergency situation, stating, “I need to get down.” Although not formally detained, he has been unable to leave King George Island due to extreme winter conditions and a lack of available commercial flights.
After weeks of legal deliberation, a judge dropped the charges against Guo on August 11, 2024, as part of an agreement requiring him to donate $30,000 to the Nuestros Hijos Foundation, a children’s cancer charity, within 30 days. Furthermore, the agreement stipulates that he must leave Chile as soon as conditions permit. Despite this, Guo remains in Antarctica, facing a standoff over how he will exit the continent.
While Guo has expressed a desire to fly his plane out of Antarctica, authorities have indicated that this may not be possible. Regional prosecutor Crisosto stated that it would be “almost impossible” for Guo to receive the permission needed to fly his aircraft out. Instead, he may need to dismantle the plane and transport it by ship, which could involve significant delays and additional costs.
As each day passes, Guo incurs high maintenance fees for his plane, which is stored by the Chilean Air Force. He continues to advocate for his right to fly, emphasizing the importance of his mission to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research. “I’m fighting for my right to fly,” he told the media, underscoring his determination to see his journey through.
The outcome of Guo’s situation remains uncertain, but he is resolved to pursue his objectives while navigating the complexities of international regulations and safety protocols in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
