American teen influencer Ethan Guo's ambitious cancer research fundraising flight has taken a disastrous turn, leaving him stranded in a remote location in Antarctica since June.
Authorities say Guo landed his small plane illegally in Chilean territory after providing false flight plan information, prompting an official investigation.
Last year, the then-19-year-old made headlines attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents, while collecting donations for childhood cancer research.
As part of his trip, he planned to go to the Antarctic, but according to the authorities, he lied to officials by providing authorities with “false flight plan data.”
Prosecutors said he had been authorized to only fly over Punta Arenas, but that he kept going south, heading for Antarctica in his Cessna 182Q — a single-engine light aircraft known for its versatility.
Guo was charged on June 29 with handing false information to ground control and landing without authorization, but on Monday, a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement with his lawyers and Chile’s prosecutors. It requires the teen to give a $30,000 donation to a children’s cancer foundation within 30 days to avoid a trial.
He must also leave the country as soon as conditions allow and is prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for three years.
On Monday, after the judge’s ruling, Guo said in a text message that he was “relieved by the outcome.”
For the past six weeks, since being charged, he has stayed at a military base. He was not forced to stay there, only to remain in Chilean territory, but because of the severe winter in that part of the southern hemisphere, there haven't been any available flights he could take. And he has been unable to fly his Cessna.
Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisoto on Monday told reporters that Guo’s plane “does not have the capabilities to make a flight,” without providing details. But the American teen influencer said he is talking with this lawyer to see if there’s a way he can fly it.
“I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight,” Guo told AP. “I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission.”
The prosecutor’s office said Guo must also pay all costs for his “aircraft security and personal maintenance” during his stay at the military facility. He also needs to cover all expenses for his return.