Teenage American pilot proclaims his innocence after dismissal of accusations in the Antarctica flight incident case
In a recent turn of events, American pilot and influencer Ethan Guo has reached an agreement with Chilean authorities to settle charges of submitting a false flight plan and unauthorised landing in Antarctica.
Guo, who made headlines last year for attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents while raising funds for childhood cancer research, found himself stranded at a Chilean military base in Antarctica after his plane was deemed incapable of flying.
According to reports, Guo encountered instrument failures and heavy, unreported icing conditions during his original journey, creating an imminent risk of a crash. Despite not being forced to stay at the base, the unavailability of flights due to the severe winter in the southern hemisphere left him unable to leave.
The charges, which were levied on June 29, accused Guo of handing false information to ground control and landing without authorisation. However, Guo and his lawyer have maintained that the landing was an emergency safety decision due to instrument malfunction and ice on the wings, and that authorities were informed.
The prosecutor, Cristián Crisosto, claims that Guo's actions put the safety of global air traffic at risk. In response, Guo's defense has argued that he was granted authorizations to deviate his initial route and land at Teniente Marsh base in Chilean Antarctica due to "weather and technical circumstances."
Evidence presented by Guo's lawyer shows that he requested and received explicit, direct permission to land at the Marsh base from a high ranking DGAC official via WhatsApp, an authorisation that was subsequently confirmed by the base's air traffic controller.
In the settlement, Guo has agreed to pay $30,000 to a children's cancer charity and must leave Chile as soon as possible. He is also banned from reentering Chilean territory for three years. The charges were dropped in exchange for this agreement, avoiding a trial.
As of mid-August 2025, Guo was awaiting approval to depart and discussing with lawyers if he can continue flying his plane for his original mission. The future of his plane remains uncertain, with Crisosto suggesting that it may leave Antarctica in pieces but does not see it flying.
Guo turned 20 during his stay in Antarctica in July and has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal. According to Crisosto, Guo was determined to reach Antarctica at any cost, potentially risking not only his life but also global air safety.
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- The court in Toronto has decided to drop the charges against Ethan Guo, an American pilot, following an agreement reached with Chilean authorities over his unauthorized landing in Antarctica.
- Guo, who is known for his media presence and attempts to break aviation records while raising funds for a good cause, will leave Chile as soon as possible, after agreeing to pay a fine of $30,000 to a children's cancer charity.
- In a lifestyle shift, Guo has been stranded in Antarctica for a significant period due to severe weather conditions and unavailability of flights, a situation that led to the initial confrontation with Chilean authorities.
- The settlement in the case has sparked discussions in travel and sports circles about the implications of such incidents for future adventurers and the precautions they should take while navigating unfamiliar territories.
