An American teenager attempting a historic solo flight around the world to raise awareness for childhood cancer was detained in Antarctica after allegedly landing without proper authorization. 

Ethan Guo, 19, set out to become the first person in history to fly solo to all seven continents in a small Cessna 182Q aircraft. 

His mission: to raise $1 million for cancer research – a cause inspired by his own cousin’s cancer diagnosis in 2021, according to the young pilot’s website.

With 60 countries visited, more than 60 takeoffs and landings, and over 700 hours of flight time, the teen has amassed millions of followers across his social media platforms, where he’s been documenting his solo trip – a journey that has already stretched beyond 100 days. 

But on Saturday, the influencer’s ‘flight against cancer’ came to an abrupt halt when Chilean authorities detained him, claiming he violated ‘multiple national and international regulations’ by landing in Antarctica without proper clearance, as reported by CNN.

According to Chilean prosecutors, Guo submitted a falsified flight plan and veered off course, ultimately landing in a section of Antarctica where Chile maintains a territorial claim.

‘The accused provided false information to the aeronautical authority,’ Cristian Cisosto Rifo, the Regional Prosecutor of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, told CNN. 

‘He submitted a flight plan indicating that he was going to fly over the city of Punta Arenas,’ Rifo added. ‘However, he continued toward Antarctica without informing anyone and without any authorization,’ he further alleged.

Ethan Guo (pictured), a 19-year-old Asian-American pilot attempting a historic solo flight around the world to raise awareness for childhood cancer, was detained in Antarctica after allegedly landing without proper authorization

On Saturday, the influencer’s ‘flight against cancer’ came to an abrupt halt when Chilean authorities detained him, claiming he violated ‘multiple national and international regulations’ by landing in Antarctica (pictured) without proper clearance

According to Chilean prosecutors, Guo (pictured) submitted a falsified flight plan and veered off course, ultimately landing in a section of Antarctica where Chile maintains a territorial claim

With 60 countries visited, more than 60 takeoffs and landings, and over 700 hours of flight time, the teen has amassed millions of followers across his social media platforms, where he’s been documenting his solo trip – a journey that has already stretched beyond 100 days (pictured: map of his trips)

‘With this behavior, the accused seriously endangered the safety of air traffic to Antarctica and the Magallanes region.’

On June 23, Guo posted his latest update on Instagram, documenting a leg of his journey as he flew over the Philippines.

‘Day 142 of flying to all 7 continents in order to raise a million dollars to fight cancer!’ he captioned the post, noting that he had completed 650 miles of the journey so far. 

But no further post followed, as South American authorities claimed that Guo had filed a false flight plan before taking off from Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport in the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas.

Authorities alleged that after taking off as the sole passenger and crew member aboard the aircraft – registered as N182WT – Guo abruptly diverted from his planned submitted route, ultimately veering off course toward Antarctica. 

Both the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Prosecutor’s Offices confirmed in a translated post on X Sunday that ‘a U.S. pilot had submitted a false flight plan and landed on an airfield runway in Antarctica.’ 

Upon landing at the Chilean-controlled airstrip, Guo was detained by authorities and formally charged with violating airspace regulations and submitting a false flight plan.

‘The accused not only violated the Aeronautical Code but also multiple national and international regulations regarding routes to Antarctica and access to the white continent,’ Crisosto told CNN.

Authorities alleged that after taking off as the sole passenger and crew member aboard the aircraft – registered as N182WT – Guo (pictured) abruptly diverted from his planned submitted route, ultimately veering off course toward Antarctica

Upon landing at the Chilean-controlled airstrip, Guo was detained by authorities and formally charged with violating airspace regulations and submitting a false flight plan

Karina Ulloa, Guo’s (pictured) lawyer, said that the teenager had experienced ‘a series of complications’ while ‘already in the air’

Once Guo (pictured in grey) returns to Chile, he will be required to remain in the country for a 90-day investigation period, as mandated by the Chilean court

Karina Ulloa, Guo’s lawyer, said that the teenager had experienced ‘a series of complications’ while ‘already in the air,’ CNN reported.

His lawyer explained that the diversion occurred because ‘he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not.’ 

As of Wednesday, the 19-year-old pilot remained in Antarctica due to weather complications that have prevented scheduling a return flight to Chile. 

He has been ordered to remain in the Chilean-controlled sector of Antarctica until authorities grant permission for his return to Punta Arenas.

Once Guo returns to Chile, he will be required to remain in the country for a 90-day investigation period, as mandated by the Chilean court.