When Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old American pilot and social media influencer, set out to become the youngest person to fly solo to every continent, he expected turbulence—but probably not the kind that would see him stranded for weeks at the bottom of the world, facing criminal charges and a diplomatic spectacle. Guo’s mission, which began as a record-breaking adventure and a heartfelt campaign to raise money for childhood cancer research, took a dramatic turn this June when he landed his Cessna 182Q on Chilean territory in Antarctica, only to be detained by local authorities for allegedly submitting a false flight plan and landing without authorization.
According to The Associated Press, Guo’s journey south started with a flight plan that Chilean officials say was only authorized to cover the route from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Instead, Guo pressed further, touching down at the Teniente Marsh base on King George Island, a remote outpost in the icy expanse of Antarctica. Chilean prosecutors quickly charged him on June 29, 2025, alleging that he had provided false information to ground control and violated strict international protocols that govern who can land on the White Continent.
For Guo, the stakes were high. Not only was his quest for a world record in jeopardy, but so was his freedom. The charges, if pursued, could have led to a prolonged legal battle and even jail time. But on Monday, August 11, 2025, a Chilean judge dropped the criminal charges as part of a deal struck between Guo’s legal team and prosecutors. The agreement requires Guo to donate $30,000 to a children’s cancer foundation within 30 days, leave Chilean territory as soon as conditions allow, and accept a three-year ban from reentering the country.
“I am relieved by the outcome,” Guo told The Associated Press after the ruling. He expressed gratitude that the ordeal would not end in court, but the experience had clearly left its mark. Throughout his six-week stay at the Chilean Air Force base in Antarctica, Guo was not technically under arrest, but severe winter weather made it impossible for him to leave. “No flights were available,” AP reported, and his own small plane—now a subject of debate among Chilean authorities—remained grounded.
Guo’s defense was adamant that he had not acted recklessly or unlawfully. His lawyer, Jaime Barrientos, presented documents to the court stating that Guo had received “authorizations to deviate his initial route” due to “weather and technical circumstances.” According to Barrientos, Guo encountered instrument failures and “heavy, unreported icing conditions” that posed “an imminent risk of a crash.” In a statement to AP, Guo insisted, “Due to these cascading failures, I requested and received explicit, direct permission to land at the Marsh base from a high-ranking DGAC official via WhatsApp, an authorization that was subsequently confirmed by the base’s air traffic controller.”
Despite these claims, Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisosto maintained a hard line. Speaking to local Radio Bio Bio, he said, “What the background indicates is that he always had the will and the knowledge that he wanted to reach Antarctica at all costs, putting at risk not only his life, but also the safety of global air traffic.” Crisosto further argued that Guo had submitted “false information” to authorities, a charge that, in his view, could not be overlooked given the potential consequences for international aviation safety.
The plane itself has become another point of contention. Crisosto told reporters that the Cessna 182Q “does not have the capabilities to make a flight” from Antarctica, warning, “That plane could leave Antarctica in pieces. But I don’t see it flying.” Whether Guo will ever be able to retrieve his beloved aircraft remains uncertain—a bitter pill for any pilot, let alone one with a world record in his sights.
During his time in Antarctica, Guo marked his 20th birthday—a milestone overshadowed by the legal drama and the relentless cold. Far from celebrating, he was left to wait out the Antarctic winter in the confines of a military base, paying out of pocket for aircraft security, personal maintenance, and any expenses related to his eventual return. As Fox News reported, Bryan Stern, CEO of the rescue nonprofit Gray Bull Rescue, commented, “Dealing with Chilean authorities is very similar to dealing with many countries in Latin America … They have laws and they expect them to be followed. It’s a sovereign country, and presenting a legal argument or a humanitarian argument, and allowing cooler heads to prevail, is the key.”
Guo’s saga has drawn international attention, not only because of the youthful ambition and charitable cause at its center, but also due to the complex web of international law, sovereignty, and aviation safety that surrounds Antarctica. The US State Department, for its part, confirmed to Fox News that it has “no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens” and stands ready to offer consular assistance whenever Americans are “in need of consular assistance overseas.”
As the dust settles, the story has sparked debate among aviation experts, legal analysts, and the public. Some see Guo as a daring trailblazer whose intentions were noble and whose missteps were the result of extraordinary circumstances. Others side with Chilean authorities, arguing that rules exist for a reason—especially in a place as unforgiving and sensitive as Antarctica, where a single miscalculation can have dire consequences not only for the pilot but for rescue teams and global air traffic as well.
Guo’s aspiration to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents—and to do so in the name of childhood cancer research—remains unfinished. Whether he will be able to continue his journey, or even retrieve his aircraft, is still up in the air. For now, he must wait for the Antarctic weather to break, fulfill his promise to donate $30,000 to a children’s cancer foundation, and accept a three-year ban from Chilean territory.
The episode serves as a stark reminder: even in the age of social media and global connectivity, the world’s wildest frontiers are governed by rules and realities that can turn a dream flight into a diplomatic and legal odyssey. As Guo prepares for the next leg of his journey—whatever form it may take—his story stands as both a cautionary tale and a testament to youthful determination.
