On 2/7, US media, citing information from the Chilean prosecutor's office, reported that Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old US citizen, was arrested on 28/6 for "violating multiple regulations" by changing his flight path without prior notification and landing in Chilean-claimed territory in Antarctica.

"The suspect provided false information to the aviation authority. In his flight plan, he stated he would fly over Punta Arenas, but he actually continued to Antarctica without permission or notification, then landed at the Rodolfo Marsh Base airfield in Chilean Antarctic territory," prosecutor Cristian Crisosto Rifo said.

Ethan Guo in Geneva, Switzerland, in August 2024. Photo: CNN

Ethan Guo in Geneva, Switzerland, in August 2024. Photo: CNN

The Chilean prosecutor's office emphasized that Guo's actions posed a serious threat to aviation safety in the Antarctic and Magallanes regions.

"The suspect not only violated Chilean aviation law but also numerous national and international regulations related to flights to Antarctica and access to this territory," Rifo said.

Karina Ulloa, Guo's lawyer, said her client experienced "several incidents during the flight" and that the decision to land in Antarctica "was just a scouting flight to see if he could follow this route."

The prosecutor's office decided that Guo must remain in the Chilean-controlled area of Antarctica until authorized to return to Punta Arenas. A Chilean court also ordered a 90-day investigation into Guo's violations. During this time, he is prohibited from leaving Chile.

Guo's Cessna 182Q Skylane landed at Chile's Rodolfo Marsh base in Antarctica on 28/6. Photo: Reuters

Guo's Cessna 182Q Skylane landed at Chile's Rodolfo Marsh base in Antarctica on 28/6. Photo: Reuters

Guo is a certified private pilot with over 700 accumulated flight hours. He has flown his Cessna 182Q Skylane, registration number N182WT, to 48 US states and across the Atlantic three times.

In May 2024, Guo departed from General DeWitt Spain Airport in Memphis, Tennessee, with a plan to fly solo across the continents. He intended to make 75 landings, traversing 60 countries and covering over 80,000 km. Guo's goal is to raise 1 million USD for cancer research, inspired by courage, passion, and compassion.

This isn't the first time Guo has encountered issues with aviation authorities during his seven-continent journey. In May, while flying from India to Thailand, Guo had to make an unscheduled emergency landing in Myanmar due to bad weather and technical problems. He was questioned by Myanmar authorities for several hours and detained overnight before being asked to leave the country.

Thanh Danh (According to CNN, News18, Aero-News)