Popular US teenage influencer arrested after landing in Antarctica while attempting to travel solo to seven continents

While most teenagers can only dream of visiting some off-the-beaten-track location, Ethan Guo has already seen most of the world. The 19-year-old, a US national of Chinese descent, set out on a trip of a lifetime from Geneva, Switzerland back in September - solo, at the controls of a single prop Cessna 182 plane.

Around the world in 100 days

Ethan’s interest in flying began when he was 13. He earned his private pilot license at 17 and set himself the goal of becoming “the first person ever to fly to all seven continents solo” as well as the youngest pilot to circumnavigate the world. And in process, raising funds for a worthy cause.

The intrepid young explorer was inspired to embark on his continent-hopping journey by the plight of his cousin, who is battling the disease. He hopes to raise $1 million for cancer research and awareness through St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

He had already crossed the Atlantic three times, before setting off on his record-breaking trek .

There have been some scary moments, as Ethan has documented in posts on his Instagram page - such as almost flying directly into a storm during the leg from from India to Thailand. As bolts of lightning darted around his tiny aircraft, he was forced to make an emergency landing in Myanmar then wait until it was safe to take to the air again.

Landing without authorization

And now his global journey has hit a new obstacle, which could completely ruin his round-the-world trip.

During the South American leg, Guo flew from Coquimbo in northern Chile to Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in Punta Arenas, the southernmost tip of of the mainland and capital of Chile’s Magallanes and Antarctic Region.

However, it is claimed that Guo veered away from his original flight plan and touched down at Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base in Chilean Antarctic territory, without authorization from the country’s aviation authorities. He was immediately detained and formally charged.

Chilean authorities say that Guo “violated the Aeronautical Code as well as multiple national and international regulations regarding routes to Antarctica and access to the continent”.

Young, globe-trotting pilot held in Chile

The pilot’s lawyer Karina Ulloa told CNN that her client had experienced “a series of complications” during the flight. Guo must remain in Chile for the duration of a 90-day investigation period. His last social media post was a couple of weeks ago on Day 142, charting his arrival in Manila from Davao City.

The outcome of the case will determine whether Guo achieves his mission or not.

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