Daijiworld Media Network - Santiago
Santiago, Jul 8: A 19-year-old American pilot on a mission to fly solo across all seven continents has been detained by Chilean authorities after an unauthorized landing in Antarctica, sparking serious safety and diplomatic concerns.
The pilot, identified as Ethan Guo from Memphis, reportedly violated several national and international aviation regulations after deviating from his approved flight path. Guo, who is attempting to become the first person to fly solo across all continents to raise $1 million for cancer research, landed on King George Island in Antarctica without prior permission, according to reports by CNN and the BBC.
Chilean authorities stated that Guo submitted a false flight plan, claiming he would be flying over Punta Arenas in southern Chile. Instead, he flew his small Cessna 182 aircraft southward and landed at the Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base, which lies in a Chilean-claimed sector of Antarctica.
Regional Prosecutor Cristian Crisosto Rifo said, “With this behaviour, the accused seriously endangered the safety of air traffic to Antarctica and the Magallanes region.” He added that Guo has been charged with violating two articles of Chile’s aeronautical code — one of which carries the possibility of short-term imprisonment.
Chile’s General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics also stated that Guo’s actions breached the Antarctic Treaty, which governs international activities on the continent.
Defending her client, Guo’s lawyer Karina Ulloa said the young pilot faced “complications” while in flight and made an unplanned landing. “He claims that he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not,” she said.
Guo's mission — aimed at raising awareness and funds for cancer research — had already taken him to six continents over a 140-day journey. His unexpected detour to Antarctica, however, now puts the final leg of his ambitious quest in jeopardy.
Investigations are underway as Chilean authorities assess the legal and diplomatic implications of the incident.