An American teen pilot was recently detained in Antarctica by Chilean authorities after allegedly giving officials “false flight plan data.”
According to The Associated Press, 19-year-old Asian-American Ethan Guo landed in Chilean territory in Antarctica in June after giving authorities “false flight plan data.” The outlet noted that the incident occurred as part of Guo’s effort to raise money for childhood cancer research while becoming the youngest individual to fly solo to every continent.
The Associated Press reported that prosecutors claim that while the 19-year-old was authorized to fly his Cessna 182Q aircraft over Punta Arenas, Guo continued further south and landed in Antarctica. As a result, Guo was charged on June 29 with providing false information to ground control officials and landing in Antarctica without proper authorization.
While Guo’s charges were dropped by a judge on Monday, Guo will be required to donate $30,000 to a childhood cancer foundation within 30 days and to leave Antarctica as soon as conditions allow for his departure, according to The Associated Press. Guo will also not be allowed to enter Chilean territory for three years.
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Following Monday’s ruling, Guo told The Associated Press he was “relieved by the outcome.” The young pilot explained that he has been staying at a military base in Antarctica for six weeks due to severe weather preventing him from departing.
The Associated Press reported that while Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisoto told reporters that the Cessna 182Q aircraft “does not have the capabilities to make a flight,” Guo is hopeful that Chilean authorities will return his airplane soon so that he can carry out his “original mission.” The outlet reported that Guo will be required to pay any costs for “aircraft security and personal maintenance” while staying at the military base in Antarctica, as well as any expenses for his return.
Bryan Stern, the CEO of Gray Bull Rescue, which is a nonprofit organization that works to save lives in dangerous locations around the globe, told Fox News, “Dealing with Chilean authorities is very similar to dealing with many countries in Latin America … They have laws and they expect them to be followed. It’s a sovereign country, and presenting a legal argument or a humanitarian argument, and allowing cooler heads to prevail, is the key.”
In a statement to Fox News, a State Department spokesperson confirmed that it has “no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens” and that it is ready to help U.S. citizens whenever they are “in need of consular assistance overseas.”
