Latest news with #GeneralDirectorateofCivilAeronautics
NDTV
6 days ago
- NDTV
19-Year-Old American Pilot Detained In Antarctica For Landing Without Permission
A 19-year-old American pilot, attempting to fly solo across all seven continents, has been detained after going off course and landing in Antarctica without permission. According to CNN, Chilean authorities stopped Ethan Guo after he broke "multiple national and international regulations" by changing his flight plans without prior notice. He reportedly landed on a part of Antarctica where Chile maintains a territorial claim. His deviation from the plan in the air "activated alert protocols," said Chile's General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics in a statement. The 19-year-old, from Memphis, was taken into custody after landing on King George Island, CNN reported. His small Cessna 182 aircraft took off from the city of Punta Arenas, near the southernmost point of Chile, and flew to the island off the Atlantic coast, which is claimed by Chile. Chilean authorities accused Mr Guo of submitting a false flight plan. "The accused provided false information to the aeronautical authority. He submitted a flight plan indicating that he was going to fly over the city of Punta Arenas," said Cristian Crisosto Rifo, the Regional Prosecutor of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, per the BBC. "However, he continued toward Antarctica without informing anyone and without any authorisation, landing at the airfield of Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base in Chilean Antarctic territory. With this behaviour, the accused seriously endangered the safety of air traffic to Antarctica and the Magallanes region," the prosecutor added. Mr Guo has been charged with violating two articles of the country's aeronautical code, including one that could lead to short-term imprisonment. Chile's General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics said that the teen had also allegedly violated the Antarctic Treaty, which regulates international relations with respect to the uninhabited continent. Meanwhile, Mr Guo's lawyer said that the 19-year-old experienced "complications" while flying. "While already in the air, he began to experience a series of complications," Karina Ulloa said, adding that the teen pilot claims "that he was conducting an exploratory flight to see if he could follow this route or not." Notably, Ethan Guo is trying to raise $1 million for cancer research by becoming "the first person ever to fly to all seven continents solo". He has flown his Cessna aircraft to six continents in his journey spanning more than 140 days.
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Indian Express
American teen pilot looking to raise $1 mn for cancer research detained on small Antarctica island
A 19-year-old pilot from the United States has been detained on an island in Antarctica after Chilean officials said he flew without proper authorisation. The incident has delayed his goal of flying solo to all seven continents, which has been followed by over a million people online. According to a report by the BBC, Ethan Guo was stopped after he landed on King George Island. Chile's General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics said Guo had submitted a false flight plan and changed his route mid-air, which triggered emergency protocols. Guo had planned to fly only over the city of Punta Arenas in southern Chile, but instead flew further south to King George Island. He was detained at Teniente R. Marsh airport, which serves research stations on the island, as reported by CBS News. Regional prosecutor Cristian Cristoso Rifo told CBS that Guo has been charged under two articles of Chile's aeronautical code. One of them could lead to a short jail sentence. The authorities also said he may have broken rules under the Antarctic Treaty, which controls activity on the continent. King George Island, where Guo landed, is located off the Atlantic coast of Antarctica and is claimed by Chile. It is home to several international research stations. Guo later posted on social media, saying, 'I'm alive everyone, I'll make an update soon.' As per BBC reporting, Guo has already flown his small Cessna 182 aircraft to six continents over a journey lasting more than 140 days. His goal is to fly solo to every continent and raise $1 million for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the US.
Saudi Gazette
04-07-2025
- Saudi Gazette
American teen pilot detained on small island in Antarctica
SANTIAGO — An American teenager has been detained on an Antarctic island, creating a major delay in his attempt to fly his small plane to every continent that is being followed online by more than a million people. Chilean authorities stopped Ethan Guo, 19, after he submitted a false flight plan, according to CBS News. His deviation from that plan in the air had "activated alert protocols", Chile's General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics said in a statement. Guo was taken into custody after landing on King George Island, home to a number of international research stations and their staff, where July temperatures typically stay well below freezing. Guo's small Cessna 182 aircraft took off from the city of Punta Arenas, near the southernmost point of Chile, and flew to the island off the Atlantic coast, which is claimed by Chile. It is named after England's King George III. He was detained at Teniente R. Marsh airport. Guo had allegedly submitted a plan to fly over Punta Arenas, but not beyond that, according to regional prosecutor Cristian Cristoso Rifo, as cited by CBS. He has been charged with violating two articles of the country's aeronautical code, including one that could lead to short-term imprisonment. In the statement, Chile's General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics said Guo had also allegedly violated the Antarctic Treaty, which regulates international relations with respect to the uninhabited continent. Guo posted an update on X on Wednesday, saying: "I'm alive everyone, I'll make an update soon." Ethan Guo has flown his Cessna aircraft to all the other six continents in his journey spanning more than 140 days, according to his social media is hoping to become the first pilot to complete solo flights across all seven continents in the Cessna aircraft, and simultaneously aims to raise $1m (£ 731,000) for cancer research at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. — BBC
