19 year old Ethan Guo has been on a journey to fly solo around the world, attempting to be the youngest pilot to fly solo to all seven continents in his Cessna 182Q Skylane. But that journey came to abrupt halt last week when he was detained by Chilean authorities after what they’re calling an unauthorized flight to Antarctica.
On 28 June, Guo departed Punta Arenas, ostensibly planning a flight to Argentina. But Guo then proceeded to Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Airport (TNM), the northernmost airport in Antarctica on King George Island. According to Guo’s lawyer, Karina Ulloa, who released a statement to CNN, “While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications,” adding Guo says “that he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not.”
Chile’s civil aviation authority issued a statement, reading in part, “The pilot’s failure to provide information immediately triggered the alert protocols for such situations, including the deployment of aerial assets for its search—entailing the use of state resources and posing risks to operational safety.”
The DGAC has also filed a complaint with the public prosecutors’ office. Guo must remain in Chile during the investigation, which could last up to 90 days according the the Chilean court.
Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
Guo’s filed destination for the flight was Ushuaia, Argentina, a common jumping off point for flights to Antarctica.
Guo’s representatives provided this comment: “Ethan is flying around the world to raise funds for cancer patients. In this context, he departed from Punta Arenas with an approved flight plan to Ushuaia. Due to weather conditions and in order to ensure his safety, he had to divert to “Teniente Marsh,” which is a public airfield according to Chilean regulations.”
The METAR weather reports for Ushuaia for 0800 to 1400 UTC are listed below. The METARs indicate winds between 13 and 15 knots from 260 and 250 degrees, which would be right down the runway at Ushuaia.
| SAWH 280800Z 26013KT 9999 SCT040 01/M02 Q1027 |
| SAWH 280900Z 25017KT 9999 SCT040 01/M01 Q1026 |
| SAWH 281000Z 25018KT 9999 SCT040 02/M01 Q1027 |
| SAWH 281100Z 25016KT 9999 SCT040 01/M02 Q1027 |
| SAWH 281200Z 26013KT 9999 SCT040 01/M03 Q1028 |
| SAWH 281300Z 26011KT 9999 SCT040 00/M03 Q1028 |
| SAWH 281400Z 25015KT 9999 SCT040 01/M03 Q1029 |
Satellite-derived imagery does not indicate the presence of intense precipitation in the vicinity of either Punta Arenas or Ushuaia at the time of the flight.
The previous flight
On 27 June, the day before flying to Antarctica, Guo departed Punta Arenas, flying south for an hour before turning around and coming back to PUQ.
36 Responses
Nous ne sommes plus libre .. je te souhaite du courage pendant ces 90 jours, j’espère que ça va pas durer depuis longtemps pour toi
Dang I was just watching his insta yesterday to see when he will make it to Antarctica but then I started getting so mad when I saw this news
He needs to stay away from Antarctica. The fact he didn’t have a flight plan means he knows it is illegal to fly to Antarctica. This doesn’t help his project.
Just stupid. Ah, it was for the clicks
Is ilegal to fly to Antarctica?, why?… who do this territory belongs to?….sorry, I just do not know and would like to!
Did he file a flight plan? If not then why?
He would not get permission. Only scientists are allowed to travel to Antarctica.
They do actually allow random people to go, but yes, I believe you are supposed to get permits. Dunno ’bout permission to land there. A friend was stationed at the US South Pole Station and over the summer they had problems with randos just showing up and asking “where do we sleep and shower?” Dog sledders. Snow mobilers. Just rich adventurers who thought they could pop up at a research station and ask for a hot shower and hot meal and petrol. DO NOT DO THAT.
One of those visitors was the Pole to Pole people when that series was filmed. Just Poof… Michael Palin and crew were there getting in the way trying to get film footage.
He should have requested permission accordingly and went on his trip.
Yeah, but did he see any weird things on his flight. Betchya we will never know. Poor kid. I hope he’s found not guilty. He couldn’t control things that happen. Which makes me think that if a plane has to make an emergency landing on the runways, are they going to arrest all of them? (Not saying the no fly zones)
He was in complete control of his actions. If he wasn’t he had no business flying an airplane.
Why is that flight illegal?
I guess like all things it’s down to planning maybe he’s young enthusiastic in his attempts.
But at the end of the day. You cannot break air flight regulations
He knew it is not allowed to fly to Antarctica. That’s why he didn’t file a flight plan, he wouldn’t get permission. So illegal behaviour to commit an illegal deed. So : jail time, and the plane should be confiscated and sold to help poor people with this money.
and maybe also spanked in the public square…. this is ridicoulous
This teenager really endangered other aircraft and air travellers and must face the law.
Almost a thousand miles over open water in a 182 without a flight plan. I wonder if he thought, “I’m as close to the continent of Antarctica as I will ever be, so I’ll go for it.” Do it and ask for forgiveness later.
Pauvre jeune homme, je crois bien qu’il s’imaginait que voler c’est très très facile, vous montez dans votre avion et bon voyage, je vais où je veux, quand je veux…Et la vie est belle ?!?!
Mais ce n’est pas de cette façon que ça fonctionne: il pensait faire le tour du monde mais son plan a été tué dans l’oeuf, comme on dit !!!
Il va apprendre de ses erreurs et il fonctionnera comme il se doit de faire.
Je suis désolé pour lui et je pense qu’il se reprendra de la vraie façon de faire !!! Bonne chance et bon voyage !
He was obviously trying to get the seventh continent in however he could. Now he has to see how much that will cost.
Ohhhh well. Enjoy Chile!
Totally irresponsible to donors funding this flight and, ostensibly, cancer patients.
Whilst I don’t advocate breaking of rules, what a great adventure to be had. I am sure he will raise more money for his cancer cause as a result of this little excursion.
This reminds me of another 19-year-old pilot who landed in downtown Moscow who took off near Hamburg, Germany.
While the obstacle on his route was the Warsaw Pact’s air defenses, here he was dealing with a natural environment that isn’t very friendly to you when you’re in trouble. Wonder what his emergency plan was? It seems to be “only” just under 2000 km, mostly over water.
But still: wow!
Is his 182 diesel powered? If not I doubt they stock any 100LL at King George Island. He may be there for awhile.
NO! THERE ISN´T 100LL IN “TENIENTE RODOLFO MARSH MARTIN” CHILEAN AIR FORCE BASE.
Otro capricho de niño rico, seguro!!
Pues que veo muy bien que le hayan detenido. Uno no puede hacer lo que le parezca y menos en zona vulnerable. Y lo de que estaba volando para recaudar fondos, no me lo creo. Eso es lo que intentan alegar sus abogados, siempre defendiendo lo indefendible. Aunque fuera así, me mantengo en lo dicho anteriormente. Vámos, dejaríais aterrizar a un helicóptero en vuestro jardín porque a alguien, sediendo de aventura, le viniera en gana? Pues no. Pues es otro ejemplo parecido.
Ya se lo pensará la próxima vez!!
Reaching an island doesn’t count as reaching Antarctica.
Pretty Gutsy Move Maverick. Single engine Cessna.
This guy just tried to pull a fast one and obviously was too young to understand the complexities of International Air Traffic Control and if he failed to maintain two way contact with Chilean ATC advising them that he was “diverting” and, as a result, triggered the launch of a SAR mission,then he needs a lot of additional schooling.A lot
I don’t think it was a lack of understanding. I think he just didn’t give a rat’s.
surely it was not a restricted area to bfly to and with a flight plan too. also for chalatry too
Airmanship is not just being able to handle the aircraft, but adhering to the rules and regulations which there for the safety of all the flying community.
Like I said,he tried to pull a fast one and he failed.
Loser.
The reason given about raising money for cancer patients is BS spin and there’s no way this distance is a “diversion”.
Yes, and furthermore his goal of reaching all seven continents was an artificial goal, not something he had to do make his point or raise money. He could just as easily have said “well, of course not Antarctica, but all six of the inhabited continents!” and he would have been a hero. And a good ambassador for general aviation.
No nation owns Antarctica, and territorial claims are often not recognised by other countries I’m curious as to why not much objection has been raised about why permission would be required to visit.
The antartic treaty sets strict guidelines for air operations to and from or over antartica. Chile being a signatory, it implemented regulations compliant to the treaty for the aerodromes that it operates in the area. You need a special permit to fly there and there are specific requirements for your aircraft to avoid polution etc.. as required under the treaty (see my previous respnse above)