CNN
–
The teenage pilot, who is about to fly solos for all seven continents, hit a patch of rough air this weekend when Chilean authorities changed his flight plan without his permission and detained him by landing in Antarctica.
Chilean prosecutors say American influencer Ethan Guo, 19, has broken “multiple domestic and international regulations” by changing his flight plan without prior notice and landing in parts of Antarctica, where the South American country maintains its territorial claims.
CNN requested comment from Guo, who said that lawyers on Sunday had experienced “complications” by the young pilot while flying.
Guo says he is trying to raise $1 million for cancer research by becoming “the first person to fly to solos on all seven continents.”
His last post on June 23rd records flights over the Philippines.
Chilean authorities say on Saturday Guo submitted a false flight plan and took off from Carlos Ibañez del Campo airport in the southern city of Punta Arenas as the only passenger and crew member aboard the Cessna 182Q aircraft registered as the N182WT. At one point during that flight, authorities say he turned off the course towards Antarctica.
“The accused provided false information to the aviation agency. He submitted a flight plan that showed he would fly around the city of Punta Arenas,” said Christian Cristo Rifo, a regional prosecutor for Magalan and Chile’s Antarctica.
“However, he continued to head towards Antarctica without giving anyone permission and landed at Li’s airfield in Rodolfo Marsh, Chilean Antarctic Territory. This action put the accused seriously at risk of air traffic safety into Antarctica and Magalan areas.
Cristoso explained that as soon as Guo landed in Antarctica, he was detained and formally charged. “The defendant not only violated the aviation code, but also violated several national and international regulations regarding routes to Antarctica and access to the White Continent,” stressed Chrisst.
His lawyer told reporters Sunday at a press conference after the young pilot was accused of experiencing “complications” while flying. “While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications,” Karina Ulloa said, adding that Guo “arguing that he is making exploratory flights to see if he can follow this route.”
CNN requested comment from Ulloa on Tuesday.
Magalan and Chilean Antarctic Prosecutors’ Office on Sunday determined that teens must remain in the Chilean division of the frozen continent until authorities grant permission to return to Punta Arenas city.
A Chilean court ordered a 90-day investigation period for the case. Meanwhile, the guo must remain in Chile.
