KING GEORGE ISLAND, CHILE – Ethan Guo, a teenage aviator on a global mission to raise funds for cancer research, found his journey unexpectedly grounded after an emergency landing in a remote area of Chile. The 17-year-old, who aims to become the first person to fly solo across all seven continents, encountered legal hurdles during his ambitious quest.
Guo’s expedition, which began in the United States and has taken him through Europe and the Middle East, is part of an endeavor to collect $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. However, his flight from Chile to Argentina was interrupted, forcing him to land on King George Island, a location known for its stringent air traffic rules.
Recounting the incident, Guo explained that shortly after landing, authorities approached him without explanation and placed him under arrest. “They just told me to follow them,” he said. The charges? Allegedly falsifying flight plans, a serious accusation that threatened his budding aviation career.
Despite the setback, Guo insists that his paperwork was in order. “It was an international flight plan, approved by the Chilean government,” he stated, adding that he had the necessary stamps and had paid all required fees.
The young pilot’s ordeal stretched over 40 days, during which he was prohibited from leaving until the legal matter was resolved. This week, a resolution was reached: Chilean officials agreed to dismiss the charges if Guo made a $30,000 donation to the country’s childhood cancer research program.
For Guo, the decision to pay was straightforward. “Donating to cancer research was my goal in the first place,” he affirmed, aligning the settlement with his original mission.
As of now, Guo awaits clearance to resume his journey from Antarctica, determined to continue his flight against cancer.