What was meant as a fundraising mission has develop into a nightmare for American teen influencer Ethan Guo, who has been caught in a distant location in Chilean territory in Antarctica since June.
Final 12 months, Guo started a journey to develop into the youngest particular person to fly solo to all seven continents. The journey additionally aimed to lift $1 million for childhood most cancers analysis via St. Jude Kids’s Analysis Hospital. Guo flew his Cessna 182Q to North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe earlier than heading to Antarctica.
Prosecutors mentioned he was approved to fly to the Chilean metropolis of Punta Arenas, which is usually used as a base for excursions to Antarctica. Authorities mentioned Guo offered “false flight plan information” and traveled to King George Island. Guo’s flight plan solely included his touchdown in Punta Arenas, authorities mentioned. Chile claims possession of the island, which is about 75 miles off the coast of Antarctica.
Guo was detained on the airport on King George Island. On June 29, he was charged with handing false info to floor management and touchdown with out authorization, each breaches of the Chilean Aeronautical Code. The code requires short-term imprisonment or a superb for anybody who lands on the nation’s territory with out authorization.
Chilean prosecutor Cristián Cristoso additionally mentioned that Guo violated “a number of nationwide and worldwide” guidelines governing entry to Antarctica and the routes used to journey there. The unauthorized flight posed security dangers for different air vacationers, Cristoso mentioned.
Salvatore Di Nolfi / AP
Since being charged, Guo has stayed at a army base on the island. He was not compelled to remain there, solely to stay in Chilean territory, however due to the extreme winter in that a part of the southern hemisphere, there have not been any accessible flights he might take.
Guo was additionally unable to fly his Cessna. Cristoso informed reporters on Monday that Guo’s airplane “doesn’t have the capabilities to make a flight,” however didn’t present extra particulars.
On Monday, a decide dropped the costs in opposition to Guo as a part of an settlement together with his attorneys and Chilean prosecutors. The settlement requires Guo make a $30,000 donation to a kids’s most cancers basis inside 30 days to keep away from a trial. He should additionally go away Chile as quickly as situations enable, and is prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for 3 years.
The prosecutor’s workplace mentioned Guo should additionally pay all prices for his “plane safety and private upkeep” throughout his keep on the army facility. He additionally must cowl all bills for his return.
Guo informed the Related Press in a textual content that he was “relieved by the result.”
Guo mentioned he’s awaiting approval for his departure flight from Antarctica. He’s speaking together with his lawyer to see if there’s any means he can proceed to fly his Cessna, and mentioned he hopes he can proceed together with his “unique mission.”
