A 19-year-old American pilot attempting to fly solo across all seven continents has been detained by Chilean officials after landing in Antarctica without prior approval.

Ethan Guo, from Memphis, was stopped by officials after he landed on King George Island, a part of the Antarctic region claimed by Chile. His solo journey, meant to support cancer research, has now hit a legal roadblock.

Guo allegedly altered his flight path without notifying aviation authorities.

According to Chile’s General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, this triggered alert protocols. They said Guo’s actions violated several national and international aviation rules.

The teenage pilot departed from Punta Arenas, a city in southern Chile, and was expected to remain within that airspace. However, he continued on to Antarctica and touched down at Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base, a Chilean-controlled airstrip.

Prosecutor Cristian Crisosto Rifo said, “The accused provided false information to the aeronautical authority. He submitted a flight plan indicating that he was going to fly over the city of Punta Arenas. However, he continued toward Antarctica without informing anyone and without any authorization, landing at the airfield of Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base in Chilean Antarctic territory.”

“With this behavior, the accused seriously endangered the safety of air traffic to Antarctica and the Magallanes region,” he added.

Guo is facing charges under two provisions of Chile’s aeronautical law. One of them carries the possibility of short-term jail time. Authorities also said the teen’s landing may have violated the Antarctic Treaty, an agreement that manages international conduct on the continent.

Guo’s lawyer, Karina Ulloa, said the teenager faced unexpected issues during his flight. “While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications,” she explained. Ulloa also said Guo claimed, “that he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not.”

Guo’s goal was to become the first person ever to fly solo to all seven continents. He has already flown across six continents in his small Cessna 182 aircraft during a journey that has lasted more than 140 days. Along the way, he is working to raise $1 million for cancer research.

Now, his ambitious mission is on pause as Chilean authorities investigate the unapproved landing.

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