A 20-year-old American pilot and social media influencer has been released from Chilean custody after more than two months in detention following an alleged unauthorized landing in Antarctica, Chilean authorities and the pilot said.
Ethan Guo, a pilot from Tennessee who was attempting to become the first person to fly solo to all seven continents, arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile, on Saturday aboard a Chilean navy ship. Chilean authorities allege Guo landed his Cessna 182Q in Antarctica in June without the required permission and presented "false flight plan data."
Guo met reporters in Punta Arenas wearing a Chilean national soccer team jersey and described his detention as "mundane" with "limited freedoms." He said Chilean personnel treated him well, adding, "The Chilean people have been incredibly hospitable, they’ve been fantastic people. They’ve taken care of me. They've taught me Spanish, and they've treated me like family."
Guo had said his flights were intended to raise $1 million for cancer research and awareness. Chilean authorities have said only that he was detained after the June landing and that irregularities were found in his flight plan information. It was not immediately clear whether he would face formal charges upon his return to Chile.
Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System, which sets aside the continent for peaceful scientific activity and places restrictions on activities that could harm the environment or interfere with research operations. Many countries that operate research stations on islands and coastal areas of the Antarctic Peninsula require prior authorization for flights, landings and other visits to the continent to ensure safety and environmental protections.
King George Island and nearby sites host multiple national research stations and are common points of arrival for aircraft supporting scientific programs. Nations with Antarctic programs typically require coordination and permits for aircraft operations to avoid conflicts with research activities and to ensure compliance with environmental protocols.
Guo has documented his travel on social media, posting updates from runs of his cross-continental itinerary. In public comments since his return, he reiterated his fundraising goals and thanked Chilean personnel and others who he said assisted him while detained. He did not provide additional detail on the circumstances of the landing or on any administrative steps he might face next.
Chilean authorities have not released a full public accounting of the case or outlined whether any penalties would be pursued. Officials overseeing Antarctic operations generally emphasize that safety, environmental protection and coordination among national programs are priorities for all activity on the continent.
Guo’s return follows weeks of limited information about his status and location while he was held in Antarctic custody. His release and arrival in Punta Arenas mark the end of a detention that began in June and prompted scrutiny of private and recreational aviation activities in one of the world's most regulated and environmentally sensitive regions.