Charges have been dropped against 19-year-old American pilot and influencer Ethan Guo, who was detained in Antarctica afterwards allegedly landing his Cessna 182Q aircraft without authorization on King George Island, a remote outpost claimed by Chile. The teen aviator, who was attempting a solo flight across all seven continents to raise funds for childhood cancer research, faced accusations of submitting a false flight plan to Chilean authorities.
A Chilean judge dismissed the charges on Monday but imposed strict conditions: Guo must leave Antarctic territory, pay a $30,000 (£22,332) donation to a children’s cancer foundation, and is banned from re-entering Chile for three years. The ruling brings an end to a six-week ordeal that stranded the young pilot at a military base on the frozen island.
Guo’s journey took a dramatic turn in June when he flew from Punta Arenas, Chile, toward King George Island—home to international research stations—without proper clearance. Authorities alleged he misled ground control by filing a flight plan that did not include the Antarctic landing. Initially charged with unauthorized landing and providing false information, Guo maintained his innocence, stating he was committed to his mission for cancer research.
Despite being cleared to leave, Guo remains temporarily stranded due to extreme Antarctic weather, which has grounded his Cessna 182Q. “I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight,” he told the Associated Press (AP). “I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission.”
Before the Antarctic setback, Guo had already completed solo flights across six continents, spending 140 days in the air. His seven-continent challenge aims to make him the youngest pilot to achieve the feat while raising $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The campaign was inspired by his cousin’s cancer diagnosis.
