How a teen pilot ended up stranded at an Antarctic military base

12 Aug 2025 • 2:20 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Ethan Guo, an American teen influencer, has been stranded in Antarctica since June after his ambitious solo flight for cancer research took a disastrous turn.
  • Authorities in Chile initiated an investigation after Guo illegally landed his plane in Chilean territory, accused of providing false flight plan information.
  • Guo was charged with providing false information and landing without authorisation, but a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement.
  • The agreement requires Guo to donate $30,000 to a children’s cancer foundation, leave Chile when conditions allow, and be prohibited from re-entering for three years.
  • Guo remains at a military base in Antarctica, unable to fly his plane and awaiting approval for his departure flight, and is also responsible for his security and maintenance costs.

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