19 year old Ethan Guo has been on a journey to fly solo around the world, attempting to be the youngest pilot to fly solo to all seven continents in his Cessna 182Q Skylane. But that journey came to abrupt halt last week when he was detained by Chilean authorities after what they’re calling an unauthorized flight to Antarctica.
On 28 June, Guo departed Punta Arenas, ostensibly planning a flight to Argentina. But Guo then proceeded to Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Airport (TNM), the northernmost airport in Antarctica on King George Island. According to Guo’s lawyer, Karina Ulloa, who released a statement to CNN, “While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications,” adding Guo says “that he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not.”
Chile’s civil aviation authority issued a statement, reading in part, “The pilot’s failure to provide information immediately triggered the alert protocols for such situations, including the deployment of aerial assets for its search—entailing the use of state resources and posing risks to operational safety.”
The DGAC has also filed a complaint with the public prosecutors’ office. Guo must remain in Chile during the investigation, which could last up to 90 days according the the Chilean court.
The previous flight
On 27 June, the day before flying to Antarctica, Guo departed Punta Arenas, flying south for an hour before turning around and coming back to PUQ.
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