19-yr-old pilot Ethan Guo detained after unauthorized flight to Antarctica during charity challenge

Pilot Ethan Guo has been detained in Antarctica during his viral charity challenge to visit all seven continents while flying solo.

For just over half a year, Ethan Guo has been flying across the globe by himself in a Cesena C182, and visiting each continent. Guo, 19, has been documenting the journey on TikTok and Instagram as he attempts to raise $1 million for cancer charities.

The 19-year-old’s videos have picked up a fair bit of traction in that time, especially as he’s traversed different parts of the globe all by himself.

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Ethan Guo detained during viral charity challenge to fly 7 continents solo

He had been uploading pretty consistently until the end of June, with his last video coming as he landed in the Philippines. However, Guo has since been arrested by Chilean officials for an unauthorized landing in Chilean Antarctic territory.

As per reports from Chilean media, the pilot was detained on June 28 after he reported that he would take off from Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in Punta Arenas for a flight over the city.

However, he ignored the flight plan and headed for Antarctica, landing at Teniente Marsh Airfield in Chilean Antarctic territory. “With this conduct, the defendant seriously endangered the safety of air traffic to Antarctica and the Magallanes Region, which is why he was charged,” prosecutor Cristián Crisosto said.

As per La Tercera, Guo is subject to monthly check-ins with officials, but is authorized to leave Antarica for Punta Arenas if weather permits.

However, he is ordered to remain in the Magallanes Region, with a hearing pencilled in for July 11 to determine the full outcome of his case.