[aviation news]
A 19-year-old U.S. pilot was detained by Chilean authorities in Antarctica after he altered his flight plan without approval.
Prosecutors allege that Ethan Guo, 19, an American influencer and pilot, violated national and international regulations when he changed his flight plan and landed on Antarctic territory claimed by Chile, according to a CNN report.
CNN cited Guo’s lawyer, who said Sunday that Guo had several “complications” while flying. He was arrested by Chilean authorities in Antarctica shortly after landing in the territory on Saturday.
According to Guo’s posts on social media, the teen was flying around the world solo in a Cessna 182Q to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s cancer research and awareness efforts.
“In 2021 my cousin was diagnosed with cancer,” Guo said on his fundraising website. “I admire him. He inspired me to take life more seriously and join the fight against cancer. 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.”
The fundraising website stated that Guo aimed to fly over 60 countries across seven continents. The 50,000-mile trip had 75 scheduled takeoffs and landings. While the endeavor was expected to cover 100 days, Guo’s most recent social media post last week marked 142 days of travel.
Guo said he has had his pilot certificate since he was 17. According to his website, he is IFR rated and had over 700 hours of flight time before the fundraising journey.
According to CNN, Chilean authorities said Saturday that Guo took off from Carlos Ibanez del Campo Airport (SCCI) in Punta Arenas, Chile, in a Cessna registered as N182WT. Despite a previously submitted flight plan, authorities told CNN that he turned off course toward Antarctica.
Since Guo was arrested in the Chilean-claimed region of the Antarctic, the Chilean Antarctic Prosecutor’s Office ruled Sunday that he must remain there until otherwise granted permission to return to Punta Arenas.
CNN reported that a Chilean court ordered Guo to stay in Chile during a 90-day investigation period for this case.
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