Latest news with #soloflight
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Chile wants Ethan Guo out of Antarctica. He says he's 'stuck' there
Ethan Guo, now 19, has been flying around the world solo in his 50-year-old Cessna 182. Photo: Instagram When Ethan Guo embarked on a mission to become the first person to fly solo to all seven continents, there was no telling how his journey would unfold. Packing a survival kit, a satellite phone, and five changes of clothes into his 50-year-old Cessna 182, he set out from Memphis, Tennessee, on 31 May 2024. His 1.4 million-strong audience on Instagram watched as the young pilot darted between dozens of countries around the world, all to raise money for childhood cancer research. That was, until his social media profile suddenly went dark. The initial plan was to set a record as the youngest person to ever fly around the world. Guo said he began preparing at just 13 years of age, by homeschooling and graduating early. He later added the goal of raising $US1 million for St Jude Children's Research Hospital, which researches prevention, treatment, and cures for childhood cancers. "Unfortunately, while preparing, my cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 blood cancer," he said in a video posted to his Instagram . "Wanting to help, I shifted this mission to something more important." At 17, he was ready to take off. But within an hour of his first leg - from Massachusetts to Tennessee - Guo encountered engine troubles that would sideline him for more than 70 days, ultimately dashing his chance at the record. "Unfortunately, the record is lost, but the original mission to fight cancer isn't," he said, hinting at a new, bigger plan. That plan, he later revealed, was to become the first person to fly to all seven continents solo, which kicked off in May 2024. Notching several stops in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East with relative ease, it wasn't until leaving India that his first run-in with a government occurred. He was attempting to fly to Thailand during September - the tail end of India's monsoon season - when he encountered a storm that blocked his route, forcing a northern detour. "As I kept on flying, the storm got so bad that the plane started leaking," he said. "With a plane full of fuel that could explode from any spark, I had to do something." Teen pilot Ethan Guo has been grounded in Antarctica during his mission to fly to all seven continents to raise money for child cancer research. Photo: YouTube Guo declared an emergency and landed in Myanmar, in the throes of a civil war that has seen more than 82,000 people killed. "It wasn't ideal since I had no paperwork, and the country was in conflict, but I figured I was safer on the ground. I thought I was toast," the pilot wrote on social media. He claims to have been interrogated for "a few hours" before spending the night in a detention room. "By morning, they told me to leave as soon as possible," he wrote. After logging more than a year of travel, the icy shores of Antarctica were the last location he needed to tick off his checklist of continents. Guo took off from Punta Arenas, Chile, before sunrise on 28 June, bound for Ushuaia in southern Argentina. But the 19-year-old says a storm of factors forced him to make another emergency landing. His navigation tools were malfunctioning, he'd lost communication with air traffic controllers on the ground, and ice was forming on his plane, he later said. As Guo began to lose airspeed, he set course for Antarctica - what he said was the closest place to land without traversing the worst of airspace above mountain ranges. Now hundreds of kilometres off course, Guo landed at Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Airport on King George Island, a Chilean territory in Antarctica. There, he says he was met by "a bunch of dudes" in black suits. It marked the beginning of a weeks-long confinement on a freezing, remote corner of the planet. Chilean officials alleged he had submitted a "false flight plan" that he never intended to take when he took off from Punta Arena, and that he had landed without permission, risking public safety. They cited the fact Guo had previously publicly stated his intention of flying to Antarctica. Magallanes Regional prosecutor Cristián Crisosto said there were "at least six other airports" Guo could have made emergency landings at prior to reaching King George Island. He added that Guo's 50-year-old Cessna 182 would never have received authorisation to fly to Antarctica "because it does not meet any requirements". "The season for going to Antarctica for larger commercial aircraft is between October and February of each year," he told Chile's Tele13 Radio. "And it's not because of comfort, it's because it's really dangerous to go at that time of year, right? At this time of year, in our winter, it's twice as dangerous. "We're talking about one of the most extreme routes on the planet, where planes have to meet all the requirements, not only national ones, but also international aeronautical regulations. "They also have to meet all the requirements of the Antarctic Treaty, so environmental requirements." Guo was charged on 29 June with violating two articles of the country's aeronautical code, including one that could lead to short-term imprisonment, and his plane was seized. The young pilot rejected the accusations. "I was like, 'I don't care what's going to happen'. Like, this is an emergency. I need to get down," he told The New York Times. Nevertheless, he was confined in an outpost on the island as a judge spent weeks considering his case. While he was not forced to stay there, only to remain in Chilean territory, there were no commercial flights available for him to take off the island due to the severe winter weather. Through patchy Wi-fi, Guo was eventually able to confirm to his followers he was okay. "I'm alive everyone, I'll make an update soon," he wrote on X on 3 July. Weeks later, on 11 August, a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement with Guo's lawyers and Chile's prosecutors. Guo would be required to give a $US30,000 ($46,000) donation to the Nuestros Hijos Foundation, a children's cancer foundation, within 30 days to avoid a trial. He has already raised more than $US140,000 for non-profit St Jude, according to his fundraising page. The agreement also stated Guo must leave the country as soon as conditions allow. But one week on, the 19-year-old has remained in Antarctica. It's part of a stand-off that hinges around how Guo will leave the continent. Chile's military base Presidente Eduardo Frei, in the King George island, in Antarctica. Photo: AFP / Vanderlei Almeida Cisosto said Guo is free to leave King George Island, but would need to do so without his plane - something the pilot refuses to do. Guo said he was talking with his lawyer to see if there was a way he could fly the plane out. "I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight," he told the Associated Press. "I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission." The regional prosecutor said it would be "almost impossible" for Guo to receive permission to fly off the continent. "I think the most likely scenario, if that plane does leave, is that... they dismantle it," he said. "They put it on a ship, and then in Chilean mainland territory, they can reassemble it if possible." For each day the disagreement draws out, Guo must pay the Chilean Air Force "a very high cost" for maintenance and storage of the plane. Still, Guo is not deterred from pushing for permission to fly his way off the continent. "I'm fighting for my right to fly," he told the New York Times. "I'm fighting for my right to continue this mission to raise $1 million. Nothing is concrete yet." - ABC
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Teen influencer detained for a month after landing in Antartica makes deal so he can leave continent
An American teen influencer whose ambitious solo flight around the world ground to a halt two months ago when he landed in Antarctica has struck a deal with Chilean authorities so he can finally leave the continent, according to reports. Ethan Guo, 19, has been trapped for almost two months after Chilean officials accused him on violating the nation's airspace and "multiple national and international" laws during the June leg of his trip, according to CBS News. Since 2024, Guo, he has travelled to six out of the seven continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia – stopping at hospitals along the way to meet with child cancer patients, and discuss raising awareness with experts and medical professionals. He documents his journey on social media while raising funds for cancer research. It was during a flight out of Chile that Guo ran into trouble. Chile controls the airspace at and around the tip of South America and maintains territorial claims and a base in Antarctica. Chilean officials accused Guo of submitting a false flight plan before he left from Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in Punta Arenas. They claim that Guo deviated from his pre-approved flight plan - which would have taken him to Ushuaia, Argentina - and traveled to Antarctica instead. On Monday, a judge ruled that Guo can leave King George Island, which is roughly 75 miles off Antartica, if he donates $30,000 to a children's cancer foundation within 30. He has also been banned from reentering Chilean territories for three years. Guo agreed to the terms and told the Associated Press that he was "relieved by the outcome." "I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight," Guo told the AP. "I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission." He told the New York Times that his time at the base has been quiet and lonely, and that he's passed the time by reading science fiction books. 'It's very hard and it's really isolating and lonely,' he said in video call with the Times. 'That means, like solitude — like, you know, confined solitude.' Guo told the Times that he only landed at the Chilean base because ice was forming on his plane, causing him to lose control. The teen added that he lost contact with local air traffic controllers and he was losing speed. Guo said that he needed to land, and the Antarctic base was the closest safe haven. 'I was like, 'I don't care what's going to happen,'' Guo told the paper. 'Like, this is an emergency. I need to get down.' He said he's unsure of exactly when he'll fly back to continental Chile, or how he'll get off King George Island, where he's currently staying. Chile's aviation authority said the young pilot could leave as soon as he pays for transportation off the island. He's been barred from flying his own plane off the island because, according to Chilean authorities, his on-board life rafts and life vests are expired and because his plane does not have a functioning anti-icing system. Officials also noted that "there is no certainty that the remaining fuel on the aircraft will be enough to reach the city of Punta Arenas," which is about a six hour flight from the base where Guo is being detained. Guo told the Times he does not want to leave his Cessna behind and believes it's in good enough condition to make the flight. Guo not forced to stay on the island at any point, but the brutal winter conditions in that part of the southern hemisphere means that flying wasn't an option, AP repots.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
American teen is STILL trapped in Antarctica five weeks after 'illegal' charity flight to frozen continent
An American teen has been trapped in Antarctica for five weeks after an 'illegal' charity flight to the frozen continent. Ethan Guo, a 20-year-old influencer was attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents, when he landed at a remote Chilean military base on Antarctic territory in June. He has been stuck on at the base ever since. Police say Guo lied to aviation officials by filing false flight plan information that indicated he would only fly over Punta Arenas in southern Chile. Instead, he pushed further south in his single-engine Cessna 182Q and landed in Chilean Antarctic territory without authorization. Chilean prosecutors charged Guo on June 29 with providing false information to ground control and landing illegally. On Monday a judge agreed to drop the charges under a deal between prosecutors and Guo's lawyers. The condition is that he is required to donate $30,000 to a children's cancer charity within 30 days, leave Chile as soon as possible and stay out of the country for three years. Guo told the Associated Press he is 'relieved by the outcome' in a text message. Police say Guo lied to aviation officials by filing false flight plan information that indicated he would only fly over Punta Arenas in southern Chile 'I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight,' Guo told the outlet. 'I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission.' Daily Mail reached out to Guo for comment. For the past six weeks Guo has been staying at a military base due to the harsh winter weather, which as has grounded regular flights out of the area. Guo's own plane has been deemed unfit to fly by Chilean officials. Prosecutor Cristián Crisosto said the Cessna, a light aircraft better suited to regional trips, 'does not have the capabilities to make a flight.' Guo started his journey in Memphis, Tennessee. Before leaving for Antarctica he had already travelled to six out of the seven continents: North America, South America Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. In May he admitted to feeling afraid during his journey but said that he remained positive. 'To be honest, many times I am scared,' Guo told KTVU. 'It's not a guarantee that I'll be able to complete this journey and on many fronts there are risks. 'But I think if you have something that you believe in and you find something that you believe is worth fighting for, I think even with the risk you should take it on.' 'What I say to people is: Aim as big as you can, break it down to digestible steps. 'Work towards it step by step,' he said.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
19-Year-Old Influencer Ethan Guo Permitted to Leave Chilean Antarctic After He Was Stranded for 6 Weeks by Authorities
The content creator, who traveled to Antarctica in an attempt to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents, had been charged for handing false information to ground control and landing without authorizationNEED TO KNOW Ethan Guo, who is traveling the world to raise money for cancer research, was required to remain in the Chilean Antarctic Territory after local authorities said he illegally landed his small plane On Monday, a judge dropped charges against the 19-year-old influencer after he agreed to donate $30,000 to a children's cancer foundation, the Associated Press reported Guo had documented his travel journey on social media and raised over $130,000 for cancer research in honor of his cousin, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2021A young American influencer can finally leave Antarctica after he was stranded for six weeks. Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old content creator, was undertaking an effort to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents to raise $1 million for cancer research when local authorities say he illegally landed his small plane in Antarctica, per the Associated Press. Now, after over a month in the Chilean Antarctic Territory, a judge has dropped charges against him, and he is required to leave, reported the AP. According to the news agency, Guo lied to officials by providing them with 'false flight plan data.' Though prosecutors said he had been authorized to fly only over Punta Arenas, a Chilean hub and the closest major city to Antarctica, he continued heading south to the icy continent, the report states. On June 29, the young traveler was charged with handing false information to ground control and landing without authorization. Per the AP, he had been required to remain in the Chilean Antarctic Territory. On Monday, Aug. 11, Guo's lawyers and Chile's prosecutors came to an agreement that requires the teen to donate $30,000 to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days and not to reenter Chilean territory for three years, according to the AP. The judge dropped the charges against Guo as a result. In a text message to the AP, the content creator wrote that he was 'relieved by the outcome.' 'I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight,' Guo told AP of his plans to leave the continent. 'I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission.' According to the influencer's website, he was inspired to start his mission to travel throughout the world to raise money for cancer research after his cousin was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. 'He inspired me to take life more seriously and join the fight against cancer,' reads his site. 'I want to use every opportunity to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the necessity to increase research efforts to find prevention and treatment methods.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. On June 24, 2024, he shared his first video on Instagram, announcing the start of his journey. Over the next year, he regularly updated his following — which has grown to over 1.4 million people — about his travels. In his most recent update, posted on July 23, just days before he was charged by Chilean authorities, he traveled from Davao City to Manila, Philippines, marking the 142nd day of his journey. According to an online St. Jude fundraiser, Guo has raised over $131,000 for cancer research in honor of his cousin. Read the original article on People
CTV News
7 days ago
- CTV News
U.S. teen influencer pilot accused of unauthorized Antarctic landing reaches deal to leave Chile
American pilot Ethan Guo poses for the photographer in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, before his take off from Geneva Airport for attempting a world record solo flight to all seven continents. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) A judge in Chile has agreed to suspend proceedings against a teenage American pilot and social media influencer who has been stuck on a remote Antarctic island since late June after he was accused of landing there without permission. Ethan Guo was attempting to fly to all seven continents solo, raising funds for cancer research, when he landed on a part of Antarctica where the South American country maintains a territorial claim. Prosecutors accused him of providing false information to ground control about his landing point. On Monday, a judge approved an agreement between Guo's lawyers and prosecutors to suspend the proceedings on the condition that he donate US$30,000 to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days. He must also leave the country and will be prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for three years. Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisosto told reporters on Monday that Guo and his plane were still in Antarctic territory and that he would also have to pay the costs of 'aircraft security and personal maintenance.' Chilean authorities said that Guo had submitted a false flight plan and took off from Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas as the sole passenger and crew member aboard a Cessna 182Q aircraft, registered as N182WT. At one point during that flight, authorities say he turned off course toward Antarctica. Guo's lawyer has previously said that the young pilot experienced 'complications' while flying. 'While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications,' Karina Ulloa said, adding that Guo claims 'that he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not.' Guo, whose website states he was trying to raise $1 million for cancer research by becoming 'the first person ever to fly to all seven continents solo,' had broadcast his continent-hopping journey since last September to more than a million Instagram followers. By Michael Rios, CNN
