Nineteen-year-old American pilot and social media influencer Ethan Guo has seen his ambition to fly solo to all seven continents come to an abrupt halt. Over the weekend, Chilean authorities detained Guo after he landed his small aircraft on Antarctica without prior notification or clearance.
Chile, which asserts sovereignty over the sector where Guo touched down, accuses him of violating multiple domestic and international aviation regulations by altering his flight plan without authorization. In response, Guo’s lawyer told CNN that the young aviator encountered “complications” mid-flight, forcing him to adjust his route.
Guo launched his global circumnavigation in September of last year, aiming to become the first person to pilot solo across every continent. He has documented his journey for more than one million followers on social media.
In addition to chasing a record, Guo planned to leverage his expedition to raise funds for cancer research, targeting a one‑million‑dollar campaign.
The Chilean Public Prosecutor’s Office has ordered Guo to remain in custody on Antarctica until they grant him permission to return to the mainland. A 90‑day investigative period has been set by the court, during which Guo must stay within Chilean jurisdiction.
Image: Associated Press (AP)
Comments
Post a Comment