Teenager detained by Chile after unauthorized flight to Antarctica
A 19-year-old private pilot was arrested by Chilean authorities in Antarctica after an authorized flight to the frozen continent.
The pilot in question is Ethan Guo, a US national, who is completing a charity challenge that involves flying solo around the world on a Cessna 172, and touching down on all seven continents. The purpose of this quest is to raise US$1 million for cancer research at St Jude Children Research Hospital, in Memphis, Tennesse.
Guo, who has been broadcasting his flight’s progress on Instagram and TikTok, took the project on after witnessing one of his cousins fight against cancer.
After arriving in Punta Arenas, southern Chile, Guo reportedly filed a flight plan to fly in the vicinity of the city. However, after taking off from Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ) on June 28, 2025, he headed south to Antarctica instead where he was arrested upon performing an unauthorized landing at Teniente Marsh Airfield (TNM), a Chilean Antarctic base.
Guo faces charges related to the violation of articles 194 and 197 of Chile’s aeronautical code, which consider it an offence to file false flight information that could endanger air security, as well as trespassing into airport facilities without authorization.
Although he has since been released from arrest, Guo remains stranded at the “Presidente Frei Montalva” Antarctic base, where he is under the care of the Chilean armed forces.
Changing weather conditions have prevented him from flying back to the Chilean mainland, something he may have to do on a commercial flight. Chilean airline Aerovías DAP operates a regular service between the base and Punta Arenas.
In any case, even when he manages to return to Punta Arenas, Guo is likely to remain in southern Chile a little while longer, since he has been formally banned from leaving the region while his case is being reviewed by the relevant authorities.
A preliminary hearing of his case has been scheduled for July 11, 2025. The post Teenager detained by Chile after unauthorized flight to Antarctica appeared first on AeroTime.
A 19-year-old private pilot was arrested by Chilean authorities in Antarctica after an authorized flight to the frozen…
The post Teenager detained by Chile after unauthorized flight to Antarctica appeared first on AeroTime.
