Nineteen-year-old American pilot Ethan Guo, who was detained in Antarctica since June 28, 2025, is now awaiting favorable winter weather conditions to depart from the Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base on King George Island. Guo's solo flight mission to all seven continents, aimed at raising funds for childhood cancer research, took an unexpected turn when he diverted from his approved flight plan.
Chilean authorities had charged Guo with providing false flight plan information and landing without permission, citing risks to air traffic safety. However, on August 11, 2025, a judge dismissed these charges following an agreement where Guo will donate $30,000 to a children's cancer foundation and accept a three-year reentry ban into Chilean territory. Guo's legal team stated that unforeseen flight complications, including instrument failures and icing, necessitated the diversion, and presented evidence suggesting prior authorization for the landing. The Cessna 182Q aircraft Guo pilots is not specifically equipped for extreme polar conditions. Guo's ambitious mission, inspired by his cousin's cancer battle, aims to raise $1 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and set a record as the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents. He had visited approximately 60 countries prior to the Antarctic incident. The case highlights the stringent aviation regulations in Antarctica, governed by the Antarctic Treaty, designed to protect the environment and ensure operational safety.